Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security, visited Korea on the 3rd and announced, “We will elevate security and defense cooperation between the EU and Korea to the next level.” Attention is being paid to whether the ‘Security and Defense Partnership’, which will further strengthen security and defense cooperation between Korea and the EU, will be adopted in the future.
High Representative Borrell, a former Spanish Foreign Minister, announced that he had arrived in Seoul in a post posted on the social media “Over the past few years, we have made significant progress through the signing of digital, green and health partnerships, making us even closer partners,” he said.
High Representative Borrell will co-chair the first Korea-EU strategic dialogue with Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol on the 4th. The strategic dialogue is a newly established conference body following the agreement reached at the Korea-EU summit in May last year. Here, ways to strengthen the Korea-EU strategic partnership will be discussed. It has been reported that the EU and Korea are likely to adopt a security and defense partnership that includes strengthening bilateral security and defense cooperation during High Representative Borrell’s visit to Korea.
It is expected that cooperation measures to respond to North Korea‘s troop deployment to Russia will also be discussed. High Representative Borrell, who visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the 3rd, is also scheduled to meet with Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun during his visit to Korea.
Meanwhile, High Representative Borrell signed the EU-Japan Security and Defense Partnership in Tokyo, Japan on the 1st. According to Kyodo News, High Representative Borrell and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya announced the signing of a partnership ahead of the first-ever Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue held on this day. The EU-Japan partnership is a security cooperation plan signed with China’s maritime advancement in mind. Japan’s Kyodo News reported that the establishment and annual holding of a director-level ‘security and defense dialogue’, joint training between the Japan Self-Defense Force and EU naval units, and consideration of concluding an agreement for security information exchange were specified.
Paris = Correspondent Jo Eun-ah achim@donga.com
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Time.news Interview: Josep Borrell’s Vision for EU-Korea Security Cooperation
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good afternoon, everyone. We have the privilege of speaking today with Dr. Ahn Ji-soo, an expert in international relations who focuses on security dynamics in Northeast Asia. Welcome, Dr. Ahn.
Dr. Ahn Ji-soo: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right into the recent visit of Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, to Korea. He mentioned elevating security cooperation between the EU and Korea. Why is this visit particularly significant now?
Dr. Ahn Ji-soo: Borrell’s visit comes at a critical time, given the heightened tensions in Northeast Asia, notably due to North Korea’s increasing military activities. His statement signals a commitment from the EU to not only engage in diplomatic dialogues but also to enhance security partnerships that can effectively address these challenges.
Editor: You touched upon tensions with North Korea. What specific measures do you think could emerge from this evolving EU-Korea partnership to counter such threats?
Dr. Ahn Ji-soo: It’s likely we will see a more structured approach to defense cooperation. This could involve sharing intelligence and conducting joint military exercises. The discussions around the security and defense partnership during Borrell’s visit could include measures specifically designed to respond to North Korea’s troop deployments and their implications for regional security.
Editor: That’s a critical point. Borrell also emphasized the importance of strategic dialogues, which were established after last year’s Korea-EU summit. How do you see these dialogues shaping the future security landscape?
Dr. Ahn Ji-soo: The strategic dialogues offer a platform for both parties to align their security priorities and operational strategies. They can serve as a forum to not only address immediate threats but also to nurture a long-term partnership based on shared values of democracy and rule of law. This holistic approach can strengthen both the EU and Korea’s roles on the world stage.
Editor: You mentioned shared values. The EU recently signed a security and defense partnership with Japan as well. Could you elaborate on the implications of this collaboration for Korea?
Dr. Ahn Ji-soo: Certainly. The EU-Japan partnership sets a precedent for cooperative security arrangements in Asia. It demonstrates the EU’s commitment to an Indo-Pacific strategy that aims to counterbalance China’s maritime assertiveness. For Korea, engaging similarly with the EU can enhance its own security posture and serve to solidify regional alliances against common threats.
Editor: It’s fascinating to see these alliances forming. What challenges do you think might arise as the EU and Korea pursue closer security ties?
Dr. Ahn Ji-soo: One key challenge could be balancing the diverse security interests of EU member states and Korea. There may be differing perspectives on how to address threats from North Korea or manage relations with China. Ensuring clear communication and consensus will be essential to prevent misunderstandings that could jeopardize the partnership.
Editor: An important consideration indeed. Lastly, what is your overall outlook for the future of EU-Korea relations in the realm of security and defense?
Dr. Ahn Ji-soo: I am optimistic. Both sides recognize the urgency of strengthening their partnership in light of evolving security dynamics. If the proposed ‘Security and Defense Partnership’ is adopted and effectively implemented, it could lead to a more stable and secure Northeast Asia, benefiting not just Korea and the EU, but global security as a whole.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ahn, for your insightful analysis. It seems clear that the EU-Korea partnership could play a significant role in shaping future security strategies.
Dr. Ahn Ji-soo: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for joining us. Stay tuned for more updates on international relations and security partnerships.