Korean and European Leaders Push for Stronger Security Ties and a Green Transition
The recent tour marked the close of a weeklong European leadership mission, highlighted by key gatherings in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Hiroshima, Japan, along with a bilateral EU-South Korea summit in Seoul. The discussions emphasized deepening bilateral cooperation in security, ecological and digital transitions, health, and investments. A joint statement commemorating sixty years of bilateral relations condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as a serious violation of international law and underscored the commitment to a future-oriented partnership.
The joint communique stressed that the world faces persistent threats to peace and security, including Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, global pandemics, climate change, and energy and food security pressures. The language highlighted a determination to expand cooperation under forward-looking strategies and mutual benefit, with explicit reference to Indo-Pacific settings and the framework of the EU Global Portal. The message was endorsed by European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Seoul’s alignment with the European Union reinforces unwavering support for the United Nations Charter and Ukraine’s right to independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders. The statement called for Russia to cease aggression and withdraw all military forces from Ukrainian territory immediately and unconditionally, aligning with a firm defense posture against aggression when necessary.
Korea’s Denuclearization
The leaders affirmed a shared resolve to sustain and intensify pressure on Russia, leveraging effective restrictive measures, while supporting Ukraine’s recovery and rebuilding efforts over the long term. They emphasized backing for Ukraine regardless of how long the process takes, and also condemned ongoing nuclear threats against the Republic of Korea, reaffirming solidarity with Seoul.
The document condemned North Korea’s repeated illegal ballistic missile launches and its ongoing nuclear program, including references to potential weaponization. It called for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and warned against the dangers posed by Pyongyang’s actions to international and regional peace and security. The alliance urged North Korea to abandon all nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and to halt any related ballistic missile programs and existing nuclear endeavors.
Beyond security considerations, the Asian partner and the European Union positioned themselves as a green alliance devoted to an eco-friendly transition. They reaffirmed a commitment to keep the global temperature rise well below 1.5°C. The gathering also served to launch negotiations regarding South Korea’s inclusion in the Horizon Europe program and to sign an administrative agreement focused on preparedness and response to health emergencies, signaling a robust, cross-border approach to public health readiness and resilience.