Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Vice Minister Kim Seon Ho attended a meeting of NATO defense ministers

Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand were invited for the first time

A meeting of IP4 defense ministers was held after the partner countries sessions

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho (far right) is seen with representatives of participating countries at the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defense held at Brussels, Belgium on October 17. From the left, Australian Minister for Defense Industry Patrick Martin Conroy, Japan’s Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Anne Collins, and Vice Minister Kim.

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho attended an allied and partner countries session of a meeting of NATO defense ministers held in Brussels, Belgium, on October 17 and discussed outstanding security issues in Europe, the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions including the situation in Ukraine and the Russia-North Korea military alliance.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 32 NATO allied nations, four Indo-Pacific partners (IP4), and the EU. Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was represented by Vice Minister Kim Seon Ho due to his other scheduling commitments.

During the NATO+IP4+EU session hosted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, participants exchanged opinions on ways to enhance cooperation between NATO, IP4, and the EU.

Vice Minister Kim said that NATO’s invitation of IP4 partners Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to the meeting of NATO defense ministers for the first time highlights the close interconnection of security in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. He presented various ways to work together, including sharing strategic information between NATO and IP4 partners, strengthening defense partnerships, and jointly responding to major security issues in the regions, and stressed the necessity for such collaboration.

Moreover, he said that the Republic of Korea has thrived due to its efforts to uphold liberal democratic values for seven decades following the Korean War, and affirmed Korea’s commitment to fulfilling its role and responsibilities in safeguarding global freedom and stability.

After the session, Vice Minister Kim held a meeting with IP4 defense ministers: Japan’s Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani, Australian Defense Industry Minister Patrick Martin Conroy, and New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Anne Collins. They discussed ways to enhance defense ties and agreed to continue working-level consultations.

Vice Minister Kim also met with Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas on the same day. They agreed to further expand bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation, including in cyber security and technology.

He also separately met with the chair of the NATO Military Committee, Rob Bauer, and Minister of Defense of Luxembourg Yuriko Backes, and agreed to further expand defense ties.

Additionally, Vice Minister Kim met with Australian Defense Industry Minister Conroy. They agreed to continue strengthening bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation since they are IP4 partners and like-minded countries in the region.

By Ah-Mi, Cho <joajoa@dema.mil.kr>

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