South Korea and Australia held on Monday a so-called two-plus-two meeting of their foreign and defense ministers in Seoul. 

In a statement at the beginning of their meeting, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Defense Minister Suh Wook and their respective Australian counterparts Marise Payne and Peter Dutton stressed that their countries have much to gain through strong cooperation as they share similar values, including democracy. 

Chung said South Korea places special importance on its ties with Australia. He said a meeting of the foreign and defense chiefs from their respective countries comes at a opportune moment, when communication and cooperation among middle powers such as South Korea and Australia have become imperative. 

Suh said defense cooperation between the two countries greatly contributes to the security of their respective countries as well as to the overall region at a time of growing uncertainty in the region, including that of nontraditional threats such as climate change and a global pandemic. 

Payne, for her part, stressed the need for South Korea and Australia to jointly face threats to the Indo-Pacific region. Though she didn’t mention any names, she apparently was referring to China when talking about threats. 

Dutton said the partnership between the two countries is more important than ever in the face of exacerbated strategic threats in the region. He said the two countries must enhance their response capabilities to current and future challenges and to strengthen defense cooperation at sea, sky and space. 

South Korea and Australia are seeking to upgrade their relation to a comprehensive and strategic partnership to mark their 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties this year.