South Korea Asks For NATO Support To Prevent North Korea's Provokers

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik met with the Highest Commander of the North Atlantic Defense Force (NATO) General Christopher Cavoli to ask for support in preventing provocations from North Korea.

Minister of Defense Shin emphasized the importance of international coordination on issues on the Korean Peninsula and asked for NATO attention and support to prevent North Korea's provocation," said an official statement from the South Korean Ministry of Defense in Seoul as reported by ANTARA from Yonhap-OANA, Thursday, February 29.

South Korea is wary of North Korea's potential provocation ahead of the April general parliamentary elections, as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declares South Korea is an eternal enemy and removes the map of the Korean Peninsula from various official websites.

In addition to discussing efforts to improve relations between South Korea and NATO and the security situation in Semananjung Korea, both parties evaluated the developing collaboration in military exercises, cybersecurity, and chemical, biological, and radioactive capabilities.

Minister Shin also struck a deal with NATO Supreme Commander Christopher Cavoli to expand defense cooperation by improving defense relations under the Individually Adjusted Partnership Program.

The bilateral partnership, which has been signed since July 2023, outlines cooperation in 11 fields ranging from anti-terrorism and non-proliferation to new technologies and cyber defense.

General Cavoli underlined the importance of defense cooperation between South Korea and NATO and agreed to increase cooperation between the military leadership of the two sides.

The visit marked the first visit of NATO's top commander to South Korea which symbolizes the country's increasing role in global security dynamics.

His visit comes at a time when South Korea is in the spotlight for its ability to produce artillery and air defense systems coveted by Ukraine as its troops lack ammunition and foreign aid are unbalanced amid a prolonged war with Russia.

Seoul and Washington officials accused North Korea of supplying ammunition and other supplies to Russia for war in Ukraine and condemned the arms transfer for violating UN Security Council resolutions banning arms trafficking with Pyongyang.