Seoul: Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO military committee, convened to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in defense and arms manufacturing. This meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue, a three-day event that commenced the preceding day, as reported by the ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn expressed gratitude for NATO's commitment to security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized the growing significance of collaboration with NATO, especially given the heightened global security tensions and the increasing interconnectivity between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Adm. Cavo Dragone shared Ahn's perspective and expressed hopes to broaden South Korea-NATO cooperation in several domains, including defense, military exchanges, intelligence sharing, cyber, space, and artificial intelligence. Both officials agreed on the necessity of maintaining high-level exchanges to foster reciprocal and future-oriented cooperation.
In addition to discussions with NATO, Ahn held separate meetings with defense counterparts from Croatia and South Africa, marking the first such engagements between South Korea and these nations. With Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anusic, Ahn agreed to enhance mutual defense cooperation and delve into discussions on advanced technologies like drones and unmanned aircraft.
During talks with South Africa's defense and veterans chief Angie Motshekga, Ahn expressed gratitude for South Africa's military support during the 1950-53 Korean War. Motshekga, who participated in a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the U.N. Command, plans to visit Hanwha Ocean Co. to observe its shipbuilding and maintenance capabilities.
Ahn also engaged with Mongolian defense chief Batlut Damba, exploring ways to expand their cooperation, including participation in the Mongolia-led Khan Quest peacekeeping exercise.
Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee also participated in bilateral meetings with counterparts from Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and Sweden. Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in defense and the arms industry. With Canada, Lee discussed expanding military intelligence exchanges and establishing a high-level consultative body. He also sought to advance arms industry cooperation with Malaysia, following South Korea's export of FA-50 light attack aircraft.
Furthermore, South Korea and Singapore, having elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, discussed strengthening maritime security cooperation. South Korea and Sweden explored bilateral cooperation in defense science and technology.