President Yoon Suk Yeol proposed on July 7 that South Korea and NATO elevate their defense partnership beyond mere arms transactions to a collaborative model involving joint research, production, and operation of weapon systems.
During his keynote address at the NATO Defense Forum's fourth session in Ankara, Turkey, President Yoon stated, "Just as member countries of the International Energy Agency manage strategic oil reserves collectively to respond to energy crises, I hope we can develop similar wisdom in the defense industry."
He noted, "Today, we are living in an era of uncertainty where geopolitical conflicts have become a constant, moving beyond the stable period of the post-Cold War international order. The military application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, and robotics has become a key factor in determining the outcomes of wars."
President Yoon emphasized the importance of not only producing weapons quickly and reliably but also maintaining robust global supply chains, stating, "The essence of deterrence now lies in how solidly we can uphold these supply chains. Wars are no longer decided solely on the battlefield; research labs developing advanced technologies and industries producing weapons have become the frontlines of national security."
He added, "For cooperation to truly be effective, trust must be established alongside technology and production capabilities. Without the assurance that supplies will not be interrupted under any circumstances and the belief that core technologies will be securely protected, genuine solidarity and cooperation cannot exist."
President Yoon highlighted South Korea's close collaboration with many NATO allies, including Poland, Germany, France, Romania, and Norway, stating, "If South Korea's reliable production capacity and proven technological expertise are combined with NATO's extensive experience, the security capabilities of both sides will be significantly enhanced."
He proposed expanding joint research on advanced technologies, asserting, "The process of jointly researching and developing technologies is the most certain way to align standards and share the direction of innovation."
President Yoon concluded by pledging, "South Korea will be the most reliable partner, and as a collaborator in security cooperation that protects global peace and prosperity, we will work vigorously with NATO towards a 'safer world.'"
* This article has been translated by AI.
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