On Thursday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized the strong partnership that exists between the Republic of Korea and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in securing cyberspace against emerging threats. The two parties are deepening their cooperation, with NATO member states expected to join in a cyber exercise in Seoul.
In a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, President Yoon stated that South Korea has been building strong solidarity with the military alliance of European and North American countries for the past three years. President Yoon was the first South Korean leader to participate in a NATO summit since 2022. The bilateral meeting took place on the last day of the NATO summit, which was held in Washington from July 9 to 11.
Yoon emphasized the importance of cooperation in cyber defense, stating that South Korea will work closely with NATO to defend against cyber threats. He announced that South Korea would invite the 32-member military alliance to a cyber exercise planned for September. The exercise, referred to by local news outlets as the “Allied Power Exercise” (APEX), is expected to be held in Seoul.
President Yoon elaborated on the international exercise during his speech at the NATO summit on July 11. “South Korea will host an international cyber exercise to assist NATO and its global partners in enhancing defensive capabilities against cyber threats,” he stated. In an exclusive interview with Reuters on July 9, President Yoon mentioned that the cyber defense exercise, organized by the country’s intelligence agency, will elevate their partnership with NATO to the next level.
The Readable reached out to the National Intelligence Service for comment on the international cyber exercise but did not receive a response before publication.
In addition to participating in the NATO summit, President Yoon also addressed the NATO Public Forum held in Washington, D.C. on July 10, delivering a speech at an Indo-Pacific session. The forum aims to enhance the understanding of experts and the public on key NATO issues.
During his speech, Yoon emphasized the alliance between South Korea and the United States, as well as the partnership between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, along with NATO member countries, in neutralizing Russia’s illegal military and economic activities with North Korea. Yoon was the first South Korean president to speak at the forum.
President Yoon stated that groups that advocate for the use of force to change political power pose a grave threat to world peace. He added that both Europe and Asia’s security are simultaneously at risk.
Yoon revealed that South Korea will address multiple security threats, including cyber, artificial intelligence, and psychological warfare, through the Individually Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP). The program aims to strengthen cooperation between NATO and South Korea in 11 sectors, including cybersecurity, dialogue and consultation, cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts, disarmament and nonproliferation, emerging technologies, and public diplomacy. The ITPP was adopted in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2023.
Yoon further stated that South Korea will continue to actively pursue cooperation with Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) partner countries, which include Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Russia-Ukraine war and the cooperation between Russia and North Korea have strengthened collaboration between South Korea and NATO, Yoon further emphasized. He added that South Korea will support efforts to end the war in Ukraine and promote peace and rebuilding in the region.
“After 35 years since the end of the Cold War, we are facing a new challenge from forces that deny the international order based on universal values and regulations,” said the President. “The only way to stop the concerted effort to change political power is for allied countries to unite and present overwhelming force.”
After the speech, Yoon participated in a conversation with Kenneth Weinstein, the Japan chair at the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute.
In the conversation, Yoon highlighted that the missiles and bombshells North Korea is supplying to Russia will prolong the war in Ukraine. He also noted that Russia’s potential military technology and economic assistance to North Korea, in return, threaten peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asian region.
