Ministers head to South Korea for talks

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne are heading to South Korea for talks with their ministerial counterparts.

Australia's foreign and defence ministers are headed to South Korea for talks with their counterparts.

Julie Bishop and Marise Payne will sit down for the third annual two-day catch-up on Thursday, with North Korea's threatening nuclear and missiles program expected to be the focus of discussions.

Both countries will also discuss further ways to advance bilateral relations and build on the Korea-Australia free trade agreement.