By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Yoon Suk-yeol met with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg on July 11 and exchanged views on major international issues and Korea-NATO cooperation.

The President noted that the partnership between South Korea and NATO has progressed by leaps and bounds during Stoltenberg's tenure (2014-2024), including the establishment of the NATO-ROK Individualized Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP), and expressed his appreciation for the Secretary General's contributions to the development of the NATO-ROK relationship. 

In response, Stoltenberg said that strengthening cooperation with the Republic of Korea, a capable partner with shared core values, was one of the key achievements of his tenure.

The President said that NATO is a key partner in our values-based solidarity diplomacy, and he looks forward to building on the NATO-IP4 Priority Cooperation Initiatives established this year and deepening cooperation in areas such as NATO's support for Ukraine, cyber defense, countering hybrid threats including disinformation, and technology, including AI.

On the occasion of the summit, both sides recognized the significance of South Korea becoming the first Asian country to sign a Certificate of Airworthiness with NATO. The signing is expected to further enhance the base for Korea's aircraft exports to NATO member countries and contribute to the enhancement of defense cooperation between Korea and NATO.

Meanwhile, the two sides expressed grave concern over the recent signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Russia and the DPRK to strengthen military and economic cooperation, and agreed that Russo-DPRK military cooperation, which is in clear violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions, is a serious threat to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions and requires a united response by the international community.

In particular, the two sides agreed to mutually share information on North Korean weapons used on the battlefield in Ukraine in response to the escalating Russian-DPRK military cooperation, and to proceed with relevant procedures.