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기사입력 : 2024.11.11 09:38
On
November 4, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held the first Korea-EU Strategic
Dialogue with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The discussions addressed key topics
including Korea-EU relations, Russia-North Korea cooperation and the situation
on the Korean Peninsula, as well as regional and international developments.
Minister
Cho and High Representative Borrell underscored the importance of this
strategic dialogue, noting its timely significance amid a geopolitical
landscape where security dynamics in Europe and the Indo-Pacific are
increasingly intertwined, as exemplified by North Korea’s recent military
deployments to Russia. The dialogue was the first to take place since its
establishment was agreed upon at the Korea-EU summit in Seoul in May, aiming to
strengthen the Korea-EU strategic partnership, founded on shared core values
and solidarity.
In
line with last May’s summit, the two leaders welcomed the adoption of a
Korea-EU Security and Defense Partnership document during the dialogue. This
new partnership framework encompasses collaboration in 15 areas of security and
defense, including maritime security, cybersecurity, arms control,
non-proliferation, and the defense industry. Through this agreement, Korea and
the EU intend to enhance their joint responses to growing global security
threats. Notably, this non-binding political document makes Korea the EU’s
fourth partner—following Moldova, Norway, and Japan—to sign such an agreement.
In
a joint statement, Minister Cho and High Representative Borrell condemned North
Korea’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine through illegal arms transfers
and the deployment of special forces, actions that they emphasized as threats
to global security, including that of Korea and Europe. They called for North
Korea’s immediate withdrawal of troops and the cessation of all military
cooperation with Russia. Both leaders reaffirmed that North Korea cannot and
will not attain nuclear-weapon-state status under the Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT), urging North Korea to take concrete steps toward denuclearization. To
this end, Korea and the EU committed to closely monitor any compensation Russia
provides to North Korea in return for military support and to coordinate
necessary measures with the international community.
Minister
Cho and High Representative Borrell also explored ways to expand collaboration
in the implementation of their respective Indo-Pacific strategies. Minister Cho
emphasized Korea’s emergence as a country dedicated to democratic values and
capable of making meaningful contributions to international peace and
prosperity. He expressed Korea’s intention to enhance cooperation with the G7
on major global issues. In response, High Representative Borrell affirmed the
EU’s commitment to working closely with Korea, both bilaterally and
multilaterally, to uphold a rules-based international order.
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