S. Korea, NATO discuss joint efforts to address common security challenges

▲ Youn Jong-kwon (R), ambassador for international cyber affairs at South Korea's foreign ministry, poses with Boris Ruge, assistant secretary general for political affairs and security policy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, during their policy talks in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 15, 2026, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-NATO

S. Korea, NATO discuss joint efforts to address common security challenges

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have discussed joint efforts to address common security challenges amid geopolitical uncertainties, the foreign ministry said Friday.

The regular policy dialogue took place in Brussels on Thursday (local time) between Youn Jong-kwon, ambassador for international cyber affairs, and Boris Ruge, NATO's assistant secretary general for political affairs and security policy, the ministry said in a readout.

The two sides shared understanding that cooperation among values-sharing partner countries is vital amid an uncertain geopolitical situation and a polycrisis prolonged by the U.S.-China rivalry and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

As the security situations in Europe and Asia-Pacific are interwoven under the current landscape, they agreed to continue working together to address common security challenges, the ministry said.

The two sides also reaffirmed that significant potential for an expanded partnership lies ahead for South Korea and NATO, in areas including cybersecurity, the defense industry and space security. They agreed to make efforts for substantive progress in this regard.

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