▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (2nd from L) and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi inspect an honor guard during an official welcoming ceremony ahead of their talks, held at the South Korean defense ministry headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, on June 28, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) S Korea-Japan-defense talks

(LEAD) S. Korea, Japan agree to continue defense exchanges, cooperation, including in AI: Seoul

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with reports of outcome of bilateral defense talks from 2nd para)

SEOUL, June 28 (Yonhap) -- The top defense chiefs of South Korea and Japan agreed Sunday to continue efforts to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation, including in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Seoul's defense ministry said.

The two sides affirmed the shared commitment following talks between Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Seoul, as the two sides seek to bolster defense cooperation amid improving bilateral ties.

"The two ministers agreed to continue advancing exchanges and cooperation between the aerobatic teams of the two countries -- South Korea's Black Eagles and Japan's Blue Impulse," a joint press statement released after the talks said.

"They also agreed to further develop search and rescue exercises for various maritime contingencies and to push for greater cooperation in advanced science and technology fields, including AI," it added.

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