Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

On Monday, September 9, Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun met with Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans at the Defense Ministry. Brekelmans was in Korea to attend the Second High-Level REAIM Summit* and the Second Republic of Korea-United Nations Command Member States (ROK-UNCMS) Defense Ministerial Meeting. The two ministers discussed regional security, including the Korean Peninsula, and explored opportunities to strengthen defense and defense industry cooperation between South Korea and the Netherlands.

* Responsible AI for a Safer Tomorrow

Minister Kim Yong Hyun highlighted that the Netherlands has been a traditional ally of South Korea, having sent combat troops to defend the country during the Korean War. He expressed his gratitude for the Netherlands’ contributions to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.

Minister Kim also voiced his hopes for close cooperation between South Korea and the Netherlands during the Second High-Level REAIM Summit, which both nations are co-hosting, to ensure AI technology is appropriately harnessed for building Korea’s future military capabilities.

He further emphasized the importance of reciprocal cooperation in the defense industry, encouraging Korean companies' participation in Dutch defense procurement programs, and asked the Netherlands to show interest in Korean weapon systems.

Minister Brekelmans noted that during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to the Netherlands last December, both nations committed to strengthening strategic cooperation in diplomacy, security, defense, and the defense industry. He affirmed his intent to further expand cooperation with South Korea.

Both ministers agreed on the need to enhance joint efforts in defense science, technology, and industry, building on existing semiconductor-related agreements. They decided to keep close communication on key issues through working-level defense policy meetings at the director-general level, as discussed last year.