South Korea’s rare earths, defence deals with Australia ‘not aimed at China’, analysts say

A billion-dollar defence deal and an agreement for Australia to boost exports of rare earth minerals to South Korea are aimed at improving bilateral relations and are not “political statements” aimed at China.That was the view of analysts as the Australian rare earth producer ASM agreed to increase exports to South Korea in the latest eye-catching deal to have emerged from South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s visit.Rare earth minerals are vital to the production of high technology devices,…