Seoul mulls joining AUKUS as Beijing protests

South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, left, and South Korea's National Defense Minister Shin Won-sik sit during an Australia and South Korea Foreign and Defense Ministers meeting in Melbourne, Australia, May 1, 2024. South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, left, and Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong sit during a welcome ahead of an Australia and South Korea Foreign and Defense Ministers meeting in Melbourne, Australia, May 1, 2024.

Seoul is mulling over sharing advanced military technology with the U.S., the United Kingdom and Australia through what is known as AUKUS Pillar II, a move that would enhance its security capabilities at the risk of angering its powerful neighbor, China.