President Yoon Suk Yeol proposed on July 7 that South Korea and NATO elevate their defense industry partnership beyond mere arms trading to a collaborative model involving joint research, production, and operation of weapon systems.
During his keynote address at the NATO Defense Industry 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 live in an era of uncertainty marked by persistent geopolitical conflicts, moving beyond the stable period following the Cold War. 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 sustain these supply chains. Wars are no longer decided solely on the battlefield; research labs developing advanced technologies and industrial sites producing weapons are now 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 and 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 technology are combined with NATO's extensive expertise, both sides' security capabilities 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 pledged, "South Korea will be the most reliable partner, and as a security cooperation partner protecting global peace and prosperity, we will work vigorously with NATO towards a 'safer world.'"
Prior to his keynote address, President Yoon met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ankara. He remarked, "This is my first time meeting you in person after only speaking on the phone."
Stoltenberg responded, "You look just like your photos. Thank you for attending the summit. I appreciate your special efforts to ensure that the South Korea-NATO relationship continues to develop strongly."
The meeting likely focused on the growing importance of security and defense cooperation between the two sides amid increasing uncertainties in the international landscape.
Following the meeting, President Yoon attended a mini-summit with Stoltenberg and representatives from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, known as the 'IP4' countries. This summit serves as a high-level platform for NATO and Indo-Pacific partner cooperation and has been held since last year's summit in The Hague to reflect both sides' commitment to strengthening security cooperation.
South Korea was represented by Foreign Minister Park Jin, Defense Minister Kang Ki-jung, National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han, and Ambassador to NATO Yoon Jeong-hyun. Japan was represented by Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo, Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, and other officials. Australia was represented by Defense Minister Pat Conroy and others, while New Zealand was represented by Defense Minister Peeni Henare.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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