South Korean Defense Minister Holds Bilateral Talks with Philippine, Norwegian and Dutch Counterparts in Singapore

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik on May 30, 2026, in Singapore to discuss expanding defense and defense-industry cooperation, Yonhap reported. The talks took place on the margins of the Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue.

In the meeting with Teodoro, the two sides agreed to identify areas of potential cooperation based on existing exchanges between their defense authorities and militaries, according to South Korea's defense ministry.

Ahn underscored Seoul's willingness to contribute to strengthening the Philippines' security capabilities and called for attention to South Korean defense companies participating in the country's military modernization efforts. In the meeting with Sandvik, the two sides agreed to continue efforts to advance their partnership, citing Hanwha Aerospace's contract earlier in 2026 to supply the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system to Norway, Yonhap reported.

Ahn used both meetings to call for support for Seoul's peace efforts toward North Korea, noting the North's growing nuclear and missile threats and its closer alignment with Russia as a serious threat to regional security and beyond.

Ahn also met one-on-one with Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius on May 30. The two ministers agreed to develop their defense partnership in maritime security, defense science and technology, and military artificial intelligence in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial way, Yonhap reported.

Photos released by South Korea's defense ministry showed Ahn posing with Teodoro and with Yesilgoz-Zegerius, and speaking with Sandvik during the meetings in Singapore.