Moon wraps up Australia trip after signing deals on defense, supply chains

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Moon wraps up Australia trip after signing deals on defense, supply chains

From left, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, first lady Jennifer Morrison, President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook, pose for a selfie after their state dinner in Sydney Tuesday. Moon later shared the photo on his Facebook account Wednesday, wrapping up his four-day state trip to Australia. [FACEBOOK]

From left, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, first lady Jennifer Morrison, President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook, pose for a selfie after their state dinner in Sydney Tuesday. Moon later shared the photo on his Facebook account Wednesday, wrapping up his four-day state trip to Australia. [FACEBOOK]

President Moon Jae-in wrapped up a four-day state visit to Australia Wednesday, sealing deals on defense, space and carbon neutral technology cooperation and securing stable critical minerals supply chains.  
 
Moon held a summit with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Canberra Monday and the two leaders adopted a joint statement upgrading bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in three areas: strategic and security, economic, innovation and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
 
In their joint statement, the two leaders recognized that the “strong strategic, economic and people-to-people ties that have developed between Australia and the ROK [Republic of Korea] are not only of mutual benefit, but contribute to our common vision of an open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”  
 
The two countries mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, and Moon was the first foreign leader to be invited to Australia on a state visit since since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.  
 
The statement said the two countries as major trading nations recognize “that the stability of the Indo-Pacific depends on adherence to international law in the maritime domain, including in the South China Sea.” They also underscored that disputes must be resolved peacefully, in accordance with international law, and reaffirmed the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight.  
 
The statement did not directly call out China, but the issue of rising Sino-U.S. tensions was looming throughout the summit and joint press conference as Korea tries to maintain a balanced diplomacy. 
 
Addressing the countries’ commitment to Asean and the tensions with China in the region, Morrison said in the joint press conference with Moon, “In the South China Sea, there must be the rule of law [...] and there must be a free and open Indo-Pacific, and that is a goal we share.” China's assertions in the South China Sea has caused a strain in the region.  
 
Australia has been a top U.S. security ally in the Indo-Pacific, participating in the Aukus, Quad and Five Eyes, regional groups seen to keep China in check. It also joined a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. Korea in turn has avoided joining such U.S.-led groupings that appear to alienate China.  
 
The joint statement also called for the “full implementation” of relevant UN Security Council sanctions resolutions on North Korea, while “affirmed that diplomacy and dialogue are essential to achieve the complete denuclearization and establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.”  
 
In economy, the two sides agreed to develop and commercialize clean energy technologies to reduce emissions and also agreed to the stable supply of raw and critical minerals.  
 
The two countries will strengthen cooperation in resources and energy with a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) on critical mineral supply chains.  
 
Australia is known for its rich resources including nickel, cobalt and lithium, essential for rechargeable batteries. Korea sees Australia’s critical minerals as being complementary to its goals to bolster its global competitiveness in rechargeable batteries, electric vehicles and semiconductors.  
 
The two countries have both declared goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and signed an MOU on a low and zero emissions technology partnership. They focused on initiatives to supply clean hydrogen and for Australia to share its carbon capture, use and storage emissions reduction technology.
 
The two sides will cooperate on eco-friendly technologies to build a hydrogen economy and create new industries and jobs. They further agreed to digital, cyber and space cooperation, as well as efforts for Covid-19 recovery.  
 
The two countries will encourage socio-cultural cooperation through arts exchanges, research collaboration, education, tourism and entertainment to further deepen people-to-people links.  
 
Korea also secured a major defense deal, under which Australia will purchase K-9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer from arms manufacturer Hanwha Defense.  
 
Later Monday, Moon visited the Australian National Korean War Memorial in Canberra to honor soldiers who died fighting alongside South Koreans in the 1950-53 Korean War. He had dinner Monday night with Australian veterans and their families to express appreciation for their sacrifices.  
 
In Sydney on Tuesday, Moon met with opposition leader Anthony Albanese of the Australian Labor Party and asked for the country’s support on the Korean Peninsula peace process and had a state dinner hosted by Morrison.   
 
He also met with Australian business leaders and called for greater cooperation in securing a stable supply chain for critical minerals.  
 
“If our two countries firmly join hands in good faith, we will be able to make significant contributions to hastening global supply chain stability and carbon neutrality,” Moon told the business people in Australia’s mineral industry.  
 
Korea is the third largest market for Australia’s mineral exports, while Australia supplies nearly half of Korea’s total mineral imports.  
 
The two countries’ bilateral trade is expected to surpass the $40 billion mark for the first time this year, said the Blue House.
 
In a Facebook post before leaving Sydney, Moon wrote, “Australia and Korea have grown into major countries in the international community to the point of being invited to the G7 together last year and this year. Our two countries will overcome the Covid-19, the climate crisis and supply chain instability and lead new changes.”
 
Moon was set to return to Seoul late Wednesday, concluding the first state visit by a Korean president to Australia in 12 years.  
 
President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook wave goodbye before departing Sydney on Air Force One Wednesday, concluding their four-day state visit to Australia. [YONHAP]

President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook wave goodbye before departing Sydney on Air Force One Wednesday, concluding their four-day state visit to Australia. [YONHAP]


BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]
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