0
President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on June 12. / Source: Presidential Office

President Lee Jae-myung held a phone conversation with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on June 12, agreeing to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including defense, clean energy, and critical mineral supply chains.

The call, which lasted about 15 minutes starting at 5 p.m., was made at the request of Prime Minister Albanese, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung.

During the conversation, President Lee expressed gratitude for Albanese’s congratulatory message on his inauguration and highlighted the strong record of cooperation between South Korea and Australia as comprehensive strategic partners in promoting regional and global peace and prosperity.

The two leaders agreed to reinforce communication and cooperation on key regional security issues, including progress toward peace on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea’s nuclear disarmament. They also committed to working closely for the successful hosting of the 2025 APEC Summit, set to take place in Gyeongju later this year.

Lee and Albanese also discussed plans to meet in person in the near future to explore concrete ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship, Kang said.

Shortly after Lee’s election victory on June 4, Albanese posted a congratulatory message on social media, expressing his hope for stronger trade, investment, and regional stability through closer cooperation between the two nations.