Administrator Seok Jong-geon of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration visited Brussels, Belgium, on the 23rd (local time) and met with senior officials from the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This is the first time that the Administrator has had a meeting with a senior EU official.
According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Administrator Seok met with Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, and exchanged opinions on European rearmament plans. Administrator Seok explained South Korea's defense industry capabilities and proposed joint research and development in advanced technology fields such as space, artificial intelligence, and quantum.
Administrator Seok then met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană. He emphasized the need for efforts to ensure interoperability of weapons systems between South Korea and NATO in light of the Russia-Ukraine war. Furthermore, he suggested establishing a South Korea-NATO defense industry consultative body to discuss cooperation on building defense supply chains.
Administrator Seok said, "South Korea must continuously develop complementary defense industry supply chain cooperation with the EU and NATO," adding, "Taking the European rearmament plan, which is recognized as a crisis for the South Korean defense industry, as an opportunity, we plan to strengthen cooperation with the EU and NATO. "
Earlier, on the 9th, the EU announced a policy to mobilize 800 billion euros (about 1.26 trillion won) to assist in strengthening the defense capabilities of all 27 member countries. While focusing on the 'Buy European' policy to foster regional defense industries, they also recognize the need for cooperation with countries like South Korea to accelerate rearmament.