Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea to the NATO Summit in Vilnius on Tuesday (11 July 2023).
Saying that Russia's war in Ukraine shows how security is not regional but global, Mr Stoltenberg commended South Korea for its support to Ukraine. He also expressed concern about North Korea's provocative behavior, including nuclear activity and ballistic missile tests which violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
The Secretary General welcomed NATO's deepening partnership with Seoul, including the new partnership programme between the Alliance and South Korea. This programme will further strengthen cooperation including on cyber defence, counter-terrorism, arms control, and new technologies. South Korea opened a diplomatic mission to NATO last November.
