Seoul: Officials of South Korea's arms procurement agency and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) discussed efforts to enhance cooperation in the defense industry, including boosting interoperability of Korean weapons systems, the agency said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting took place between Kim Tae-kon, director-general for international cooperation of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and Tarja Jaakkola, assistant secretary-general for NATO's defense industry, innovation and armaments. During the discussions, Kim emphasized the importance for South Korean defense firms to access information on NATO standards to ensure the interoperability of Korean weapons systems.

Jaakkola, in response, encouraged Seoul to engage in multilateral cooperation projects that are being pursued by NATO member states, focusing on areas such as ammunition and space. The dialogue highlighted the ongoing efforts to align South Korea's defense capabilities with those of NATO countries.

Prior to the meeting, DAPA Commissioner Lee Yong-chul had a conversation with Jaakkola, where they addressed the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region amid ongoing global tensions, such as Russia's war against Ukraine. Lee also stated that DAPA intends to continue collaborating with NATO departments to develop concrete frameworks for bilateral cooperation, enhancing the strategic partnership between South Korea and NATO.