Korea to open diplomatic mission to NATO

Politics

Published: 22 Jun. 2022, 19:13 Updated: 22 Jun. 2022, 19:24

Korea to open diplomatic mission to NATO

National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han holds a press briefing on President Yoon Suk-yeol's trip to Spain for the NATO Summit next week at the Yongsan Presidential Office in central Seoul Wednesday. [YONHAP]

South Korea will establish a diplomatic mission to NATO in Brussels to coincide with President Yoon Suk-yeol's participation in the NATO Summit in Madrid next week, the presidential National Security Office (NSO) said Wednesday.

Yoon will take part in the NATO Summit on June 29 and 30, his first overseas trip since he took office some 50 days ago. This marks the first time a Korean leader has taken part in the NATO Summit.

"By establishing a NATO mission in Belgium, we will be able to increase information sharing and strengthen our networks with NATO allies and partners and establish a Europe platform that is worthy of our [global] status," said Kim Sung-han, director of the NSO, during a press briefing Wednesday.

Korea's new mission to NATO will be headed by the Korean ambassador to Belgium, who also doubles as the ambassador to the European Union.

Of 45 NATO partner countries, just five including Korea, have yet to establish a mission to the NATO.

During the NATO summit, Yoon is expected to focus on three main areas: strengthening solidarity based on a liberal democracy; building a comprehensive security network; and seeking effective responses to emerging security issues.

Kim said in the briefing that the summit will also be an opportunity for Yoon to give a "detailed explanation of the South Korean government's position on the North Korean issue and secure broad support from the participating countries."

Kim noted that the 30 NATO countries are "our traditional allies who share universal values and norms, such as liberal democracy, rule of law and human rights."

Yoon is expected to work toward building a comprehensive security network with NATO allies to address emerging security issues. These include cyber and aerospace threats, maritime security and climate change, as well as unpredictable international situations, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Other areas of cooperation in terms of security response could include discussions of information sharing, joint training and research with NATO in security fields, such as emerging technologies, maritime security and cyber security.

Yoon is working on scheduling other meetings during the NATO gathering.

A presidential official told reporters that there are around 10 meeting currently being arranged with leaders of European countries. High on the agenda would be economic cooperation, including discussions related to nuclear power, semiconductors, renewable energy and the defense business.

The meetings could also be an opportunity for Korea to ask for support for Busan's bid for the World Expo 2030 and to seek broad support from countries on the North Korea denuclearization issue.

Yoon is expected to take part in a four-way meeting between NATO's so-called Asia-Pacific partners – Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

A bilateral summit between Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is looking unlikely currently, taking into consideration that Japan is holding upper house elections next month. Relations between Korea and Japan have deteriorated due to historical issues and a trade spat.

The presidential office didn't rule out the possibility of informal "pull-aside" talks between Yoon and Kishida at the gathering.

There is also a possibility that Yoon could meet with Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden at the same time. Such a meeting between the leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan took place during the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2017.

The presidential official said, "Japan has its political schedule, and I am sure that there will be a momentum for exchanges on more specific issues between Korea and Japan after the important multilateral talks abroad."

During the meeting, NATO is expected to adopt a new strategic concept which is expected to address Russia and China's rising assertiveness.

In response to concerns that South Korea participating in the NATO Summit could solidify anti-China and anti-Russia sentiments, another presidential official said, "We have been invited as a NATO partner county and to this end, our approach is also in terms of comprehensive security rather than collective defense, meaning not only traditional military security, but also economy, climate change and new emerging technologies. Korea's participation in the NATO summit doesn't need to be interpreted as a major shift towards policies against China and Russia and is rather intended to expand and deepen networks with partner countries."

First lady Kim Keon-hee is likely to join Yoon in the trip to take part in formal activities for spouses of leaders organized by the NATO Summit.

National Security Adviser Kim will not accompany Yoon to Spain and remain in Seoul to monitor the security situation in the president's absence.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]