BRUSSELS — In a significant address at a NATO meeting, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul articulated Seoul’s continued support for Ukraine and expressed concerns over the burgeoning military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. These discussions, held amid NATO’s assembly with Indo-Pacific partners, underscored the interconnected nature of global security challenges and South Korea’s proactive stance on international affairs.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during the session in Brussels that also included representatives from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, Cho outlined Seoul’s commitment to Ukraine’s aid. He announced a substantial US$2.3 billion aid package slated to commence this year, alongside a $12 million contribution through a NATO trust fund dedicated to the rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Moreover, Cho spotlighted the worrying developments in North Korea-Russia relations, particularly Pyongyang’s weapons support to Moscow, which he argued has ramifications far beyond European security, affecting stability in the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The minister underscored the potential global nonproliferation risks posed by Moscow’s military technology exchanges and oil supplies to Pyongyang, especially given the deepened military ties following a summit between the leaders of the two countries at a Russian spaceport last year.
Amid these geopolitical concerns, Cho critiqued Russia’s recent actions at the U.N. Security Council, where it vetoed the extension of a mandate for a panel monitoring sanctions on North Korea. He likened this move to an attempt to obscure accountability and hinder international security mechanisms.
The gathering also saw a reaffirmation of the need for enhanced cooperation between NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners, recognizing the strategic importance of collaborative efforts to address transnational security issues. Cho’s commitments and critiques at the NATO meeting reflect South Korea’s engagement in addressing global security dynamics and its readiness to contribute to international peace and stability.
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