President Lee Holds Summit with Australian PM to Discuss Cooperation on Regional Supply Chains

President Lee Jae-myung, who is visiting the United States to attend the high-level session of the UN General Assembly, held a summit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the South Korean Mission to the UN in New York on September 22 (local time).

This marks the third bilateral summit between South Korea and Australia, following meetings held on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits last year.

During the meeting, based on the trust and ties built over time, the two leaders candidly exchanged views on issues of common interest, including energy supply chains and defense cooperation, as well as the international situation, in a relaxed atmosphere, Cheong Wa Dae Senior Secretary for Public Communication Sung Ki-hong said in a written briefing.

South Korea and Australia reaffirmed that they are key partners relying on each other for supplies of major energy resources, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petroleum products, in responding to the energy crisis stemming from the Middle East, Sung said.

The two leaders also agreed to cooperate closely to build stable and resilient regional supply chains.

President Lee explained, "Australia must also be facing various difficulties due to this Hormuz war, and South Korea also experienced some disruptions in energy supply chains, but thanks to Australia's generous assistance and cooperation, South Korea's energy market remains fairly stable."

He added, "We appreciate Australia's help, and we will also cooperate to the fullest extent possible to resolve Australia's challenges and circumstances."

Prime Minister Albanese replied, "Australia and South Korea are great friends and allies, sharing a similar worldview and holding similar values in pursuing multilateral institutions, security, and safety."

He added, "In particular, we are cooperating closely in the economic sphere," noting, "We are receiving a great deal of help from South Korea, especially in the area of energy supply and demand."

The two leaders also agreed to expand cooperation across various fields as partners sharing values amid global uncertainties.

In addition, President Lee and Prime Minister Albanese agreed to meet more frequently and communicate closely through this year's APEC and Group of 20 (G20) summits, as well as by pursuing a visit by President Lee to Australia in the first half of next year at Prime Minister Albanese's invitation.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.