According to Yonhap news agency, on January 30, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met with the head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg, discussed the Korea-NATO relationship, the strategy of the Republic of Korea. South Korea for the Indo-Pacific region, as well as North Korea’s nuclear program, among other issues.
The meeting took place within the framework of the official visit of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to South Korea (January 29 and 30).
According to the South Korean Presidential Office, at the meeting, President Yoon Suk-yeol hoped that Seoul and NATO would further strengthen cooperation through the country’s newly established mission to NATO.
Besides, he also explained in detail Korea’s strategy for the region Indo-Pacificannounced by Seoul in December 2022, as well as highlighting the need to cooperate with NATO in implementing this strategy.
[Tổng Thư ký NATO nhấn mạnh hợp tác an ninh với Hàn Quốc]
Referring to the problem North Koreathe South Korean leader called for the active role of Mr. Stoltenberg and NATO in promoting efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula.
Senior Secretary of the President Koreain charge of press affairs Kim Eun-hye said that during the meeting, Mr. Stoltenberg invited Mr. Yoon to attend the Summit. NATO scheduled to take place next July in Lithuania.
Also on January 30, Stoltenberg met with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, discussed regional security and bilateral cooperation. South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said Lee Jong-sup highly appreciated NATO’s support of Seoul’s efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The two sides also agreed to work together to enhance information exchange on new potential areas of cooperation, such as defense science and technology.
North Korea issued a statement protesting the NATO chief’s visit to South Korea, saying the move could bring a “new Cold War” to the Asia-Pacific region.
As planned, by the end of January 30, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg will leave Korea for Japan.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (left) and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in Seoul on January 29, 2023. (Source: AFP/Getty Images/Financial Times)Lan Phuong (VNA/Vietnam+)