▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (L) poses with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025, in this file photo provided by Seoul's foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) S Korea-Australia-FM talks

(LEAD) Top diplomats of S. Korea, Australia to hold talks this week amid Mideast crisis

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 5-8, 10)

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, April 27 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and Australia will hold talks later this week on a range of shared issues, including enhancing defense cooperation and joint efforts to address supply chain instability amid the Middle East crisis, the foreign ministry said Monday.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will meet with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, for bilateral talks in Seoul on Thursday, the ministry said in a press release.

The two sides are expected to reaffirm their commitments to working together to address common challenges in relation to the current situation in the Middle East and the global energy crisis, the ministry said.

They will also discuss efforts to deepen cooperation in the defense and defense industry sectors, it added.

Wong's visit to South Korea comes as part of her three-nation Asia swing that will also take her to Japan and China, the Australian Embassy in Seoul said in a separate release.

Her trip is aimed at strengthening relationships and shared energy security with the three countries, as the Middle East conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt global energy markets, it said.

"The Republic of Korea is one of Australia's most important sources of refined fuels, including diesel, automotive gasoline and aviation fuel," Wong said in the release.

"Australia will continue working with international partners to help secure the supplies we need -- including diesel, petrol and fertilizer -- and ensure Australia is prioritized as a reliable energy partner," she added.

The meeting between Cho and Wong will come about a month after they spoke over the phone on March 16.

The ministers last held talks in person on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju in October last year.

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