IP4 Defense Leaders to Convene During NATO Ministerial Meeting

SEOUL: Top defense representatives from South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, collectively known as the IP4, will convene on the sidelines of this week's NATO defense ministerial meeting, in a session organized by Australia to discuss enhanced cooperation with the alliance amid growing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia. According to Yonhap News Agency, the upcoming meeting marks the first time the IP4 will participate in the NATO defense ministerial sessions, scheduled for Thursday and Friday. The defense leaders are expected to evaluate strategies to deepen ties with NATO, highlighting concerns over the increasing military cooperation observed between North Korea and Russia. From South Korea, Vice Minister Kim Seon-ho will represent the country due to Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun's commitments to a parliamentary audit. This gathering follows a recent joint statement by the IP4 nations during a NATO summit in Washington in July, condemning the military engagements between Rus sia and North Korea and affirming a commitment to increased collaboration. Earlier this month, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte officially announced the participation of the IP4 countries at the forthcoming meeting and expressed his anticipation for developing a unified strategy to address common challenges with the Indo-Pacific partners.