Korea 'perfectly placed' to help build collective defense of democracies: scholar

Yang Eun-ho, a member of the Black Eagles, Korea's flight display team, back, observes as Mark Keritz, a pilot of the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes aerobatic display team, checks the cockpit of Team Korea's T-50B aircraft at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, Australia, Feb. 27. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Air Force

'Washington should support Seoul's effort as war shows it can no longer arm all of its allies'

By Jung Min-ho

GEELONG, Australia ― The world has seen how quickly Russia's war in Ukraine has been depleting U.S. weapons stockpiles, which shows Washington can no longer arm all of its allies and partners at the required speed. To help fill the shortages and build a stronger collective defense of liberal democracies around the world, Korea should expand its role, according to a defense expert, Thursday.

Peter K. Lee, a research fellow at the United States Studies Centre of the University of Sydney, speaks during an interview at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, Australia, March 2. Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Industries

"Korea is perfectly placed to support the defense capability needs of liberal democracies around the world, from Australia to Poland. The time has come for the United States to take a cooperative approach to working with its allies and partners on defense industrial supply chains," Peter K. Lee, a research fellow at the United States Studies Centre of the University of Sydney, said in an interview with The Korea Times. "Korean businesses can help countries like Australia become more self-reliant for their national defense while contributing to the collective defense effort of democracies."

Even before the conflict marked the somber one-year anniversary of the start of Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, the U.S. industrial base was already struggling to keep up with the surging demand from Ukraine and its allies for some high-end weapons systems and ammunition.

If Poland could have obtained U.S. tanks and fighter jets immediately, it would have done so, the scholar said. It was clear the U.S. would be unable to meet Poland's urgent request, which prompted the country to turn to Korea. In the coming years, Seoul should expect more such demands and Washington should welcome it as the war continues amid growing geopolitical risks.

Lee believes Korea and Australia are at a critical turning point in their relationship, which is a vital component for security in the Indo-Pacific region ― a strategic term adopted by most U.S. allies that replaces the previous "Asia-Pacific" focus in order to "surround" and counter threats from China.

"As middle powers, Australia and Korea have a shared experience of Chinese economic and diplomatic coercion … We are going through a difficult transition as countries learn to live in a more competitive regional order," Lee said. "Australia and Korea have shown that they can step up to help each other in times of need, most recently with the shipments of urea solution to Korea (after China's export ban on it). Similar efforts will be needed in renewable energy, critical minerals and financial investment."

The Black Eagles, the Republic of Korea Air Force's flight display team, fly in formation behind the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes, during their friendship flight over the coastline of Victoria, Australia, Feb. 27. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Air Force

One of the biggest challenges to ― and potential opportunities for ― relations and the prospects of developed security ties lies just outside Avalon Airport, where an international airshow is taking place.

Hanwha Defense Australia, a subsidiary of Hanwha Group, a major Korean defense company, is building manufacturing facilities for an Australian-made version of its K9 self-propelled howitzers. The company is also hoping to expand its presence in the country after winning a contract to supply its Redback infantry fighting vehicles. The result of the bidding is expected to be released in the coming months.

The success of howitzer production here will be critical not just for the company but also for bilateral cooperation, Lee said.

"Australia has never made a defense acquisition from an Asian country. This is the first time, so it is very symbolic. It shows that Australia is seeking to work with a range of partners to acquire defense capabilities even as it deepens defense cooperation with the United States as part of the AUKUS (a trilateral security pact between Australia, Britain and the U.S.) and Quad (between Australia, India, Japan and the U.S.) partnerships," he said. "For Korea, it is an important milestone in expanding defense exports into the most developed markets of U.S. allies."

Australia is abundant in natural resources including lithium, nickel and rare earth elements ― critical materials for future and defense technologies such as batteries and electric vehicles ― while Korea can provide knowhow in using them to build military hardware, among other things. The partnership would be greatly beneficial for both, Lee said.

"Korean companies have shown they are willing to share technology as part of contracts to help their partners build sovereign defense industries, there will be significant opportunities with Australia," he said. "In the next few years, the most urgent priority for security ties will be strengthening their collective deterrence to prevent a miscalculation that leads to a major war in the Indo-Pacific … We cannot allow what happened in Ukraine to happen here."