Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin was to leave for Australia on Tuesday for talks on defense cooperation and regional security, the defense ministry said.
It said Kim is scheduled to meet his Australian counterpart, Stephen Smith, in Canberra on Wednesday. The two ministers are set to sign an agreement on promoting bilateral military exchanges, expanding their joint exercises and increasing cooperation in defense industry and in intelligence sharing, the ministry said.
"Minister Kim will also explain Seoul's position on Korean Peninsula affairs and seek Australia's support on our North Korean policy," a ministry official said. "The two ministers are also expected to share their thoughts on security affairs in the Asia-Pacific region."
In April, President Lee Myung-bak and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard agreed to hold regular defense ministerial talks. Kim's trip to Australia is the first by a South Korean defense minister in more than six years. (Yonhap)