Kim Seong-han, National Security Office Chief: "Yoon to Establish Comprehensive Security Network at NATO" (Summary)

About 10 Countries to Hold Quantum Talks... Korea-Japan Summit Uncertain
Yoon to Announce Additional Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine
NATO Visit Not Anti-China or Anti-Russia Policy
Kim Geon-hee Likely to Attend NATO... Presidential Office "Spouse Session Arranged"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit as the first Korean president to do so, aiming to establish a comprehensive security network and garner support for North Korea's denuclearization.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office at the Presidential Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office and announced, "Through President Yoon's attendance at the NATO meeting, he will strengthen the value solidarity based on liberal democracy with the 30 NATO allied countries and partner nations."

President Yoon's attendance follows NATO's invitation to four 'Asia-Pacific partners'?South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The other three leaders have also expressed their intention to attend.

Director Kim explained, "NATO is a representative alliance that protects the post-war norm-based international order. The 30 allied countries that make up NATO are traditional allies sharing universal values and norms such as liberal democracy, the rule of law, and human rights." He added, "Through this summit attendance, we will provide a detailed explanation of our government's position on the North Korean nuclear issue and receive broad support from the participating countries." He also stated, "In the unpredictable international situation, including the Ukraine crisis, we will build a comprehensive security network together with NATO allies."

Regarding responses to emerging security fields, he explained, "We are currently discussing information sharing, joint training, and joint research with NATO, which has conducted extensive research in emerging security areas such as emerging technologies, maritime security, and cyber security."

To strengthen cooperation with NATO, our government plans to establish a permanent NATO delegation in Brussels, Belgium, where NATO headquarters is located, to enhance information sharing and networking.

Additionally, bilateral talks will be pursued with participating countries considering economic issues such as nuclear power, semiconductors, renewable energy, defense projects, the 2030 Busan Expo bid, and cooperation on the North Korean nuclear issue.

A Presidential Office official explained regarding our bilateral meeting countries, "Countries where nuclear power exports are significant include Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, and Poland is a country where large-scale advanced future defense project exports and cooperation can be discussed." He continued, "The Netherlands is a country where advanced semiconductor technology cooperation can be explored," and added, "Canada is a country with which we can cooperate and discuss emerging technology fields such as next-generation electric vehicle batteries," and "Denmark is a country where we can broadly discuss the green economy, renewable energy, and hydrogen energy."

The first Korea-Japan summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which attracted the most attention, remains uncertain at this time. However, there remains a possibility that the two leaders may engage in dialogue or informal talks in the form of a so-called 'pull aside.' A Presidential Office official said, "We are still waiting for the right time," adding, "There are also Japanese political schedules, and I am confident that after returning from important overseas multilateral meetings, a momentum will surely come when more concrete issues between Korea and Japan can be exchanged."

The two leaders are expected to have an opportunity to meet through a summit of the four Asia-Pacific partner countries of NATO?South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand?during the NATO meeting. There is also a possibility of a Korea-US-Japan summit.

Since the Ukraine war is expected to be a key agenda item at this NATO summit, President Yoon is also expected to directly announce plans to strengthen humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Regarding the situation where Ukraine is requesting weapons support and concerns raised by Korean companies operating in Russia, a Presidential Office official stated, "So far, $50 million has been disbursed to Ukraine. An additional $50 million will be provided, making a total of $100 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine." He explained, "The basic policy is not to support lethal weapons to Ukraine, even indirectly."

Regarding concerns raised by some that Korea's attendance at the NATO summit may solidify anti-China and anti-Russia policies and provoke backlash from China and Russia, a Presidential Office official cautioned against overinterpretation, saying, "Since this is about expanding and deepening networks with member and partner countries from a comprehensive security perspective, there is no need to interpret Korea's attendance at the NATO meeting as a complete shift to anti-China and anti-Russia policies." Another official rebutted, "A war has occurred, and peace and freedom are threatened; responding to that cannot be logically considered anti-China."

Considering the severe security situation on the Korean Peninsula, including signs of North Korea's 7th nuclear test, Director Kim will remain in Seoul to manage current issues. Instead, Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, and Lee Moon-hee, Foreign Affairs Secretary, will accompany the presidential tour.

Regarding whether First Lady Kim Geon-hee will accompany President Yoon to the NATO summit, the Presidential Office stated, "We are reviewing participation in official spouse programs as much as possible," implying the possibility of her accompanying the president.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.