An article published in The Times on May 1, 2024 titled “South Korea Knocks: Will the AUKUS become Asian NATO?” questioned whether such moves were worth incurring China’s ire.[1] A number of allied states are now showing interest in joining the second pillar of the AUKUS, a partnership between the UK, the United States and Australia. The main ones are Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Canada.
On May 1, 2024, the defense ministers of South Korea and Australia announced that Seoul was in talks to join the defense technology pillar of the AUKUS security treaty.[2] Indeed, shortly before that, Japan announced that it had initiated accession talks.
The AUKUS pact, announced in 2021 with a roadmap for 2023, is basically interpreted as a “US strategy to encircle China.” Under Pillar One of the agreement, the UK and the US are expected to help Australia prepare a fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines. Pillar Two focuses on developing and sharing advanced capabilities in a wide range of areas, including hypersonics, anti-submarine warfare and cyber weapons, as well as quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik has said that his country’s ever-evolving defense, science and technological capabilities can contribute to the AUKUS program, as well as to regional peace and stability.[3] Apparently, Seoul does not share its neighbor Beijing’s insistence that “these moves will lead to dangerous polarization.” Indeed, China has been critical of these groupings, especially the AUKUS pact, often describing it as “the beginning of Asian NATO.”
Regarding this issue, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Wu Qian said at a press conference on April 26, 2024 “We are firmly opposed to interested countries coming together in special groups, forming bilateral or multilateral military alliances targeting China, creating division and conflict, and fueling bloc conflict.”
While South Korea has shown interest in joining the Second Pillar of the AUKUS, the possibility of joining the First Pillar could also be on the table in the future. In this sense, Seoul has long argued that it could acquire nuclear-propelled submarine technology. However, this has been repeatedly rejected by the United States, which is concerned about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
It is important to highlight that South Korea, New Zealand and Japan, the countries that have shown interest in joining the AUKUS, have also participated in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leaders’ summit in Madrid and Vilnius for the last two years, respectively. On the other hand, Canada and New Zealand are part of the “Five Eyes” intelligence network. Thus, it can be said that a broad Western coalition has emerged in the Asia-Pacific in defense technologies, intelligence sharing and other military fields. Such bilateral, trilateral and multiple military cooperation can be characterized as an informal, if not de facto, defense-security alliance.
However, the stated objectives include “promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” According to US officials, the reason for inviting these countries to the second pillar of the AUKUS is to create a broad network of allies in the region.[4]
On this issue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a statement dated April 21, 2024, criticized the trilateral defense partnership, saying that the Pacific should not become an arena for great power rivalry.[5] Indeed, the participation of South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Canada in such a military alliance could radically change the security of the Asia-Pacific and the regional balance of power. In recent years, Western security activities in the Asia-Pacific have been increasing and new alliances have emerged or expanded in the region.
South Korea’s political ties with Western allies on democratic principles have led to dangerous military cooperation. In pursuit of this goal, Seoul, which argues that the region should remain free and open, has begun to show interest in defense formations led by Washington and London. Due to this dangerous security environment, South Korea has focused on developing its military strategies. States that participate in such defense partnerships due to their own national security concerns are, perhaps unwittingly, participating in the “US strategy of encircling China”. However, regional states are likely to suffer the most from such military-security moves. The acceleration of military alliances in the region will pave the way for the establishment of an Asian NATO.
[1] “As South Korea comes knocking — will Aukus become the Asian Nato?”, The Times, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/as-south-korea-comes-knocking-will-aukus-become-the-asian-nato-9k3lvx8jh, (Date of Access: 05.05.2024).
[2] “South Korea discusses participating in AUKUS tech pillar”, Japan Times, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/05/01/asia-pacific/politics/south-korea-aukus-discussions/, (Date of Access: 05.05.2024).
[3] Ibid.
[4] “Australia wants Japan to collaborate with AUKUS on defense tech”, Japantimes, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/02/18/japan/politics/australia-looks-to-japan-aukus/, (Date of Access: 05.05.2024).
[5] “China criticizes AUKUS alliance, warns against major power competition in Pacific”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-criticizes-aukus-alliance-warns-against-major-power-competition-in-pacific/3198492, (Date of Access: 05.05.2024).
