Vice Ministers Step Up for Korea-UK Defense Cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Deputy Ministers of Defense of South Korea and the United Kingdom held their first Defense Strategic Dialogue. The meeting, which had previously been conducted at the director-general level as the Defense Policy Working Meeting, was elevated in status, and a 'bilateral framework' was agreed upon to concretize cooperation in defense and security sectors.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 19th, Shin Beom-cheol, Deputy Minister of Defense of South Korea, held the 1st Korea-UK Defense Strategic Dialogue on the 18th (local time) in London with Annabel Goldie, UK Ministry of Defense Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. Both deputy ministers emphasized the significance of this dialogue as the first meeting held to implement the 'bilateral framework for closer cooperation' in the defense sector, which was concluded during last month's Korea-UK summit.

Deputy Minister Shin explained the recent security situation on the Korean Peninsula and requested the UK side's support for the South Korean government's efforts toward North Korean denuclearization and peacebuilding on the peninsula. Deputy Minister Goldie responded that the UK continues to support South Korea's North Korea policy unwaveringly. She also stated that as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a traditional ally of South Korea, the UK will actively cooperate to contribute to sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen Korea-UK cooperation as they expand engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. In particular, during discussions on the European security situation, including the Ukraine issue, Deputy Minister Goldie expressed appreciation for South Korea's participation in international efforts such as support for Ukraine as a responsible member of the international community.

Starting with this meeting, the two countries will review strengthening cooperation in areas such as exchange assignments between defense officials, monitoring the implementation of sanctions against North Korea, and will expand practical cooperation not only in existing areas like joint exercises and educational exchanges but also in emerging security fields such as cyber, space, and counterterrorism.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Shin visited the UK War Memorial for the Korean War located in London to lay a wreath and commemorate the sacrifices of the British forces.

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