Tokyo | Defence Minister Richard Marles says he is confident South Korea will understand Australia’s decision to scale back defence contracts from the country’s arms industry as Seoul and Canberra seek to ramp up their security alliance.

Speaking from Seoul, where he will hold talks with South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday, Mr Marles said both countries were looking to take their defence relationship to the “next level” and would work more closely together to help Pacific Island nations.