On 24 June 2026, NATO hosted military staff talks with the Republic of Korea at NATO HQ in Brussels. Discussions focused on the ongoing partnership, interoperability and future opportunities for enhanced cooperation. The meeting took place under the auspices of the NATO Cooperative Security Division.
A NATO delegation, led by Major General Eray Üngüder, Director of NATO's Cooperative Security Division, met with representatives from the Republic of Korea's armed forces to discuss security and defence cooperation. The NATO delegation included experts from the International Military Staff, the International Staff, and a representative from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Partnership Division. The Korean delegation was led by Major General Joo Seong Kyu, Director of the Strategy and Plans Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and included officials from the Korean Defence Forces. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on strategic issues and explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation between NATO and the Republic of Korea.
"The Republic of Korea is a longstanding Partner of NATO and we are grateful to have this strongly committed partnership," stressed Major General Üngüder in his opening remarks. "NATO's engagement with our Partners from the Indo-Pacific region is increasingly relevant in a complex security environment, as our end goal remains peace and prosperity. Together with our Partners, we can deepen our mutual situational awareness of the closely connected security developments in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, including the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine and the fast technological developments," Major General Üngüder added.
The military staff talks reaffirmed NATO's ongoing dedication to the partnership with the Republic of Korea. This collaboration, initiated in 2005, involves joint efforts in several fields including cybersecurity, capability development, new technologies and countering hybrid threats. This year's conversations primarily addressed topics like interoperability, standardisation and cyber exercises.
The last military staff talks with the Republic of Korea took place on 10 May 2025 in Seoul. Additional bilateral exchanges include the official visit to Seoul by the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, early September 2025, and a NATO Chiefs of Defence meeting in Brussels, January 2026, with the participation of delegations from Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand.
