Borrell: Taking EU-Seoul security cooperation to new level

Photo: South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell: talks in Seoul. 4 November 2024

The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine underlines the need for the EU and South Korea to cooperate on security, EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said on Monday, November 4, Reuters reports.

The deployment of North Korean troops “illustrates the importance of our common security agenda,” Borrell said ahead of talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol in Seoul.

The EU and South Korea are holding their first meeting as part of their strategic dialogue after Washington and Seoul expressed concern over North Korean troops being sent to help Russia.

Borrell also met with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and expressed concern about the developments, the South Korean defense ministry said.

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“Russia's aggression against Ukraine is an existential threat,” Borrell said on the X media platform. – The Republic of Korea understands it best. We are united in our support for Ukraine. I have called on it (South Korea) to step up (its actions)”.

Borrell stressed that the purpose of his visit to South Korea is to take EU-Seoul security and defense cooperation to a ”new level”.

On Sunday, November 3, Borrell announced on X that he had visited the demilitarized zone separating the two Korean states. He arrived in South Korea after a trip to Japan, calling the visit a reminder of the need to invest more in peace.

Last week, Cho said all possible scenarios were on the table when asked whether Seoul could provide weapons to Ukraine.

South Korea has provided non-lethal aid to Ukraine, including demining equipment, but has rejected Kyiv's request for weapons.

Last week, North Korea tested a huge new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-19.

By Sergey Daga