The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Kingdom of Netherlands held the first Korea–Netherlands 2+2 Foreign and Industry High-Level Dialogue on February 11 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Seoul. On the ROK side were Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Aukje de Vries represented the Netherlands.

As both countries are bound by a Strategic Partnership, the dialogue addresses political, economic, and industrial issues from a comprehensive and integrated perspective, given the current global supply chain restructuring and intensifying technological competition.

The ministers agreed in a joint statement released after their meeting that “the Republic of Korea – Kingdom of the Netherlands Strategic Partnership remains an invaluable instrument for guaranteeing sustainable growth capacity, economic security, and technological leadership, within a rules-based order, of both the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.”

During the meeting, the ministers exchanged views on the changing global geoeconomic environment, the spread of protectionism, and ways to deepen bilateral cooperation on economic security; AI, cyber and emerging technologies; the semiconductor industry; critical raw materials.; and other areas.

“Collaboration on early warning systems and export control consultations were deemed to have effectively strengthened the economic security of both countries,” according to the joint statement. Exchanges on supply-chain monitoring methods were considered a constructive step toward exploring future cooperation, and the ministers underscored the need to expand these initiatives and proactively identify new areas of economic security-related cooperation.

In the digital domain, the ministers supported “cooperation to promote an open, global, interoperable, stable and secure cyberspace” and pledged to “further explore ways to strengthen the close partnership in deterring cyber threats, developing international law and norms, and enhancing cyber resilience.”

In their joint statement, the ministers called the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) process and the Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (AIMD) United Nations Resolutions important instruments for responsible AI within the military domain. They called for a regular bilateral working-level AI dialogue to explore cooperation on other aspects related to a responsible, safe, and human-centric approach to AI.

The Ministers reconfirmed their intent “to further strengthen strategic cooperation on semiconductors by realizing closer linkages between the semiconductor ecosystems of both countries, including those between small and medium enterprises and R&D organizations and facilities.”

With regard to recent supply-chain disruptions, the ministers highlighted the importance of continued discussion and cooperation on monitoring, diversification, as well as exchanges on stockpiling initiatives, according to their statement, adding that they support “the realization of sustainable, transparent, and secure supply-chains, including those for critical items and technologies.”

The next 2+2 Foreign and Industry High-Level dialogue is scheduled for 2028 in The Hague, the Netherlands.

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(MOFA press release edited by David Kendall)