The foreign ministries of South Korea and Australia announced that their top diplomats will meet in Seoul to discuss various shared concerns. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Australian counterpart Penny Wong will focus on enhancing defense cooperation and addressing supply chain instability, particularly in light of the Middle East crisis. Both countries are set to reaffirm their commitment to collaborating on common challenges related to the Middle East situation and the global energy crisis during the upcoming talks.
The discussions will also center on deepening cooperation in defense and defense industry sectors between South Korea and Australia. This meeting follows a previous phone conversation between the two diplomats on March 16, as reported by Yonhap news agency. Additionally, South Korea’s special envoy to Iran recently met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on April 23.
During the meeting, South Korea’s special envoy emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving conflicts and achieving peace and stability in the region. The envoy also highlighted the significance of strengthening bilateral relations between Seoul and Tehran. In response, Iran expressed readiness to cooperate and enhance ties with South Korea.
Iran defended its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a measure to protect its national security and interests. The country stated that any consequences resulting from the blockade would be the responsibility of the parties engaging in aggression. Currently, 26 South Korea-related ships and 173 Korean crew members are stranded in the vital waterway due to the blockade imposed by Iran and the United States.
