Seoul, Tokyo step up defence partnership, boost AI collaboration

South Korea and Japan agreed on June 28 to expand bilateral defence cooperation, with a particular focus on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The agreement was reached during talks in Seoul between South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, according to foreign media.

The trip marks Koizumi’s first overseas visit since taking office and comes as Seoul and Tokyo continue efforts to strengthen defence ties amid improving relations. The meeting followed Ahn’s visit to Japan earlier this year.

According to a joint statement issued after the talks, the ministers agreed to further enhance exchanges between the countries’ aerobatic teams — South Korea’s Black Eagles and Japan’s Blue Impulse.

"They also agreed to further develop search and rescue exercises for various maritime contingencies and to push for greater cooperation in advanced science and technology fields, including AI," the statement read.

The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and the pursuit of lasting regional peace.

Earlier this month, South Korea and Japan resumed joint maritime search-and-rescue drills for the first time in nine years, reflecting the growing momentum in their defence partnership.

By Jeyhun Aghazada