National Security Director Wi Seongrak Holds Bilateral Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio at NATO Summit

Seongrak Wi (left), Director of the National Security Office, shakes hands with Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, at the NATO summit held in The Hague, Netherlands on the 25th (local time). Photo by Presidential Office

The Presidential Office announced on June 25 that Director of the National Security Office Seongrak Wi met with Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, at the NATO summit and discussed further developing the South Korea-U.S. alliance. The two sides also agreed to continue communication to facilitate an early summit between the leaders of South Korea and the United States.

According to the Presidential Office, on the 25th (local time), Director Wi held a bilateral meeting with Secretary Rubio at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, where he attended on behalf of President Lee Jaemyung. The Presidential Office stated, "The two sides held extensive discussions on ways to further strengthen the successful alliance between South Korea and the United States, which are special allies, and on current pending issues." The office added, "Both sides agreed on the need to hold a South Korea-U.S. summit as soon as possible and decided to continue close communication on this matter going forward."

Director Wi also met with Allison Hooker, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, who attended the NATO summit as part of the U.S. delegation on June 24. The Presidential Office announced that during this meeting, the two exchanged views on various matters of mutual interest, including ways to advance the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

Director Wi also held talks with Takeshi Iwaya, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, who attended on behalf of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The Presidential Office stated, "The two sides discussed ways to advance South Korea-Japan relations and agreed to continue close communication going forward." The office continued, "They also exchanged views on international and regional affairs and agreed to further develop trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the United States in responding to various geopolitical crises, including the North Korea issue."

Additionally, the Presidential Office reported that Director Wi met with Maarten Boff, Foreign and Defense Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and explained President Lee's absence. Both sides reportedly shared the view that, in the current international climate, security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions is closely interconnected. They also discussed further developing cooperation in emerging technology fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Office stated that Director Wi met with Tomas Pojar, National Security Advisor, and agreed to maintain close communication to expand strategic cooperation based on successful nuclear power plant collaboration.