South Korea and Japan agree to pursue defence technology exchanges

Senior South Korean and Japanese defence officials met in Tokyo on October 9 and reaffirmed close coordination in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. They also agreed to pursue defence exchanges involving artificial intelligence and unmanned systems.

South Korean Vice Defence Minister Lee Doo-hee met his Japanese counterpart, Atsushi Ando, during a two-day visit beginning on October 8. Japan’s Defence Ministry confirmed the date of the talks and said this was the first visit by a South Korean vice defence minister to Japan in 16 years.

According to Seoul’s defence ministry, the officials stressed both bilateral coordination and cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan. Their discussions addressed the changing international environment and the serious security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Technology exchanges are intended to form part of their continuing defence cooperation. The South Korean account specifically identified artificial intelligence and unmanned systems as areas for cooperation and exchanges.

Lee travelled at Ando’s invitation. Ando had visited Seoul in May for security-policy consultations and in September for the Seoul Defense Dialogue. Before the latest talks, Lee also paid a courtesy call on Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.