South Korea and Australia on Wednesday agreed to seek the establishment of a regular meeting of their foreign and defense ministers to bolster diplomatic and defense cooperation, Seoul officials said.

Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith reached the agreement during their talks in Canberra. The talks came after President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Julia Gillard agreed to hold regular defense ministers’ talks last April.

The “Two Plus Two” meeting will discuss an array of regional and global issues including maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region, protection of maritime resources and expansion of bilateral defense ties, sources said.

During the talks, the two defense chiefs also agreed to seek opportunities for joint military exercises in both South Korea and Australia. They also agreed to seek to stage new joint naval drills next year.

They signed a memorandum of understanding on holding Army Staff talks on a regular basis from next year and expanding cooperation in the defense industry.

Kim asked the Australian government to support Seoul’s North Korea policy. Smith, in turn, pledged support for Seoul’s efforts for peace and security on the peninsula, officials said.

“The two countries will regularly hold the defense ministers’ talks to enhance cooperation in terms of strategic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, the defense industry and joint exercises,” the MND said.

Such moves came as the U.S. has announced the deployment of 2,500 U.S. marines to northern Australia, a move seen as part of America’s efforts to strengthen its presence amid the rise of China.

The U.S. stations some 28,500 troops in its key Asian ally South Korea.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)