politics
South Korean President Proposes Expanded Defense Industry Ties with NATO
Lee Jae Myung addressed the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara on July 7 and urged expanded joint research and production. He suggested applying strategic reserve models from energy cooperation to defense systems.
Jul 7, 9:45 AM·1m read1 source
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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung proposed elevating defense ties with NATO to a new framework called Korea–NATO Defense Industry Partnership 2.0 during a keynote speech at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara on July 7. The two-day NATO summit opened the same day.
Lee said the partnership would move beyond weapons transactions to include joint research, production and operation of systems, building on existing ammunition and space programs.
"The security capabilities of both sides will be greatly strengthened when NATO's decades of know-how is combined with the reliable production capacity and proven technological prowess of the Republic of Korea," Lee said. He described the current period as an era of uncertainty marked by geopolitical conflict and noted that artificial intelligence and drones have become decisive in modern warfare.
Deterrence now depends on rapid production and resilient supply chains, he added.
Lee suggested applying the model used by International Energy Agency members for strategic petroleum reserves to defense industry cooperation. He said South Korea would remain NATO's most trusted partner in safeguarding global peace. Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung arrived in Ankara aboard the presidential aircraft earlier that day.
