NATO welcomes deepening cooperation with the Republic of Korea
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se of the Republic of Korea to NATO Headquarters for the first time on Thursday (6 October 2016). The two leaders discussed how to deepen the Alliance’s partnership with Seoul, their continued commitment to Afghanistan, and shared concerns over North Korea.
The Secretary General praised the Republic of Korea’s political and practical support for Afghanistan, highlighting Seoul’s major financial contributions to the Afghan forces. He noted that NATO will sustain its Resolute Support Mission beyond 2016 and continue to fund Afghan security forces to 2020. The Secretary General also condemned North Korea’s persistent provocations and violations of binding UN Security Council Resolutions, which undermine regional and international security. He pointed to opportunities for deepening the Alliance’s partnership with Seoul, including in the areas of cyber defence and exercises.
During his visit, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se also participated in a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, chaired by NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow. The Council discussed the security situation on the Korean peninsula and agreed on the importance of taking forward the Alliance’s cooperation with Seoul.