Minister Seo Wook: "Joining Five Eyes... A Matter Requiring Various Reviews"

Minister Seo Wook. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] On the 13th, Seo Wook, Minister of National Defense, said regarding the recent consideration by the U.S. Congress to include South Korea in the 'Five Eyes,' a group of countries sharing classified information, "Joining the Five Eyes is a matter that requires various considerations."

Minister Seo stated this during a joint press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Doryeom-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, held on the afternoon of the same day after the 5th Korea-Australia Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministers' Meeting, adding, "There was no specific discussion about 'Quad Plus' or the Five Eyes at today's defense ministers' meeting or the 2+2 ministerial meeting."

He mentioned, "The issue of joining the Five Eyes has gained attention recently as it was mentioned in the draft of the National Defense Authorization Act in the U.S. Congress, but I will be able to speak more after seeing further discussions."

The 'Five Eyes' is an intelligence-sharing alliance among five English-speaking countries: the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It originated in 1946 when the U.S. and the U.K. signed an agreement to respond to the Soviet Union and other communist countries during the Cold War.

Regarding South Korea's potential membership in the 'Quad,' a four-country Indo-Pacific consultative group consisting of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, Minister Seo said, "Our government has established a principle to cooperate with any international consultative body that pursues openness, transparency, and inclusiveness," adding, "Cooperation is underway in various fields."

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