NATO Speech by Yoon: "Korea Has the Capability to Handle Security Crisis... Will Fulfill Its Responsibilities"

NATO Summit 7th Speech... "North Korea's Nuclear and Missile Programs Pose a Serious Challenge to International Peace and Security"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

(Madrid, Spain = Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan) On the 29th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit and stated, "South Korea, as a capable country amid a complex security crisis, will fulfill its responsibilities together with the international community." President Yoon said, "I am pleased to be able to discuss with NATO, which was established on the foundation of liberal democracy and the rule of law, amid the changing international security environment," but also assessed, "The current international community faces complex security threats that cannot be resolved by a single country."

President Yoon made these remarks as the seventh speaker at the NATO summit held at IFEMA in Madrid, Spain. He spoke after British Prime Minister Johnson and was followed by U.S. President Joe Biden.

At the event, President Yoon said, "Since South Korea and NATO became partner countries in 2006, we have developed political, military, and security cooperation," adding, "The Republic of Korea will take on greater responsibilities as a capable country in the international community." In particular, President Yoon expressed hope to "closely cooperate with NATO allies in emerging technology fields such as economic security, health, and cyber security." This reflects the judgment that universal values are being challenged amid new competition and conflict structures such as the Ukraine crisis.

He also called for international support for North Korea’s denuclearization. President Yoon pointed out, "North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs are a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a serious challenge to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and the international community." He continued, "We appreciate NATO’s consistent support for our position on the North Korean issue," emphasizing, "To lead North Korea’s denuclearization, it must be clearly shown that the international community’s will for denuclearization is stronger than North Korea’s reckless nuclear development intentions."

On the same day, the Presidential Office released a message regarding the NATO summit, stating, "Our president and delegation have exceeded expectations in achieving the goals of value and norm solidarity, strengthening emerging security cooperation, and building a global network." A key official from the Presidential Office said, "President Yoon, during meetings with various countries, stated that regional issues do not remain regional but spread and become common challenges that the global community must collectively address," adding, "President Yoon declared his intention to strengthen South Korea’s global role." Regarding emerging security cooperation, the official introduced, "NATO allies showed great interest and high expectations toward South Korea at the summit. Before we even raised the topic, they proposed cooperation and follow-up talks in AI, big data technology, semiconductor technology, next-generation battery technology, and nuclear power plant construction and operation."

Regarding the trilateral summit between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, it was stated, "The South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation has been restored as of today." The White House also reportedly described the meeting as "historic and very successful."