President Yoon to Emphasize 'Freedom, Peace, and International Solidarity' in NATO Speech

Proposal to Expand Agenda Scope and Geographic Range Between Korea and NATO... Yoon "Will Build an Inclusive Network"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

(Madrid, Spain = Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan) President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit and emphasize the position that "freedom and peace are guaranteed only through international solidarity" to NATO member countries and partner countries. This is to expand the scope and geographical range of cooperation agendas between Korea and NATO. After arriving in Madrid, Spain, President Yoon stated on Facebook, "Through three days of meetings, we will build a comprehensive network that protects both the economy and security."

On the morning of the 28th (local time), Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office of the Presidential Office, held a briefing at the press center located in Madrid and mentioned, "President Yoon will deliver a speech at the NATO Allies-Partners summit starting at 3 p.m. on the 29th."

Deputy Director Kim explained, "(President Yoon) will propose to further expand the scope and geographical range of cooperation agendas between Korea and NATO to align with the rapidly changing global security environment," adding, "He will evaluate the consistent support of NATO allies on the North Korean nuclear issue and request continuous cooperation from NATO allies and partner countries in promoting North Korea's denuclearization."

Deputy Director Kim divided the significance of President Yoon's attendance at NATO into three main points. First, he mentioned the solidarity of values and norms, stating, "In various parts of the world, wars and dictatorships threaten the freedom and human rights of global citizens and take away opportunities for economic prosperity," and added, "The Republic of Korea has come to Madrid to declare that it will actively take the lead in defending liberal democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."

The second point highlighted the importance of cooperation in non-traditional emerging security fields. Deputy Director Kim said, "The global energy market has been disrupted and prices have risen due to the aftermath of war, shaking the global food security order," and added, "This indicates the uncertainty of global economic security. Based on advanced technologies including semiconductors held by Korea, nuclear power plant construction, and green technology, Korea aims to strengthen emerging security with NATO member countries and partner countries."

He also attributed significant meaning to the expansion of Korea's global partnerships. Deputy Director Kim stated, "President Yoon will have bilateral summits with countries such as the European Union (EU), Canada, and the United Kingdom to specifically discuss whether Korea will design customized strategic partnerships with them," and added, "They will discuss how Korea's Indo-Pacific regional strategy, which will be concretized in the future, and European partner countries will seek cooperation measures in the Asia-Pacific region."

Meanwhile, President Yoon was invited as an Asia-Pacific partner country along with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand at this meeting. President Yoon will emphasize the South Korean government's position on North Korean denuclearization and discuss economic cooperation at this meeting. He will also hold bilateral talks with about ten heads of state. In addition to the South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit, he plans to discuss agendas such as nuclear power plant and defense industry exports and semiconductor technology cooperation with about ten major European countries including Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

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