Australia on Thursday said South Korea had indicated it will scrap its controversial plan to resume "scientific" whaling following talks between senior officials.

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr met his Korean counterpart Kim Sung-Hwan on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh and praised Seoul for its "responsiveness" on the issue.

He said Kim told him South Korea would take the advice of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) on the subject, indicating that plans for "scientific" whaling would not proceed.

"Korea has committed itself to green growth, and is capable of becoming a global green superpower," Carr said in a statement.

"Its green credentials would not be compromised. I acknowledge the nation's responsiveness and leadership."

South Korea unveiled its plan at an IWC meeting last week in Panama, sparking an international outcry. It said it would use a loophole in a global moratorium that permits killing of whales for "scientific" research.

Japan already uses the loophole to hunt whales, with the meat then going on dinner plates. Australia is one of the most vocal opponents of whaling.