Rapidly Changing International Situation... Korea-EU to Strengthen Close Security Cooperation

Promotion of the 'South Korea-EU Security and Defence Dialogue' to Be Held in Seoul in the First Half of This Year

Amid rapid changes in the global order to the extent of 'reorganization' following the inauguration of Donald Trump's second term U.S. administration, South Korea and the European Union (EU) have decided to maintain a close security cooperation system.

On the 11th (local time), Yoon Jong-kwon, Director General for International Security (right), and Benedikta von Scher-Toss, Director of the Peace, Security, and Defence Division at the EU External Action Service (EEAS), held a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, and took a commemorative photo. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 12th, Yoon Jong-kwon, Director General of the International Security Affairs Bureau, held a meeting on the 11th (local time) in Brussels, Belgium, with Benedikta von Scher-Esso, Director of the Peace, Security and Defence Division of the EU External Action Service (EEAS), to discuss ways to expand security cooperation between South Korea and the EU. The South Korea-EU 'strategic partnership' marked its 15th anniversary this year.

Based on the agreement to strengthen the security partnership reached at the 2023 summit, both sides discussed holding the 'South Korea-EU Security and Defence Dialogue' in Seoul during the first half of this year. Taking this security and defence dialogue as an opportunity, they agreed to broaden the scope of security discussions between South Korea and the EU beyond existing cooperation areas such as defense industry and security situation assessments to include hybrid threats and critical infrastructure.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the agenda of the South Korea-EU security and defence partnership, including arms control and non-proliferation, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and maritime security. In particular, considering the recent increase in cyber threats in international security, they agreed to hold an early South Korea-EU Cyber Policy Consultation and cooperate on related responses.

Furthermore, in light of the deepening security connectivity between the Indo-Pacific region and Europe due to the recent Russia-Ukraine war and intensified Russia-North Korea military cooperation, both sides reaffirmed the necessity of close security cooperation in the future. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the meeting as "an opportunity to concretize practical cooperation measures on major security agendas."

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