Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Korea-France open a ‘new chapter’ in strategic defense cooperation

Korea and France have opened a new chapter in strategic defense cooperation through the defense ministerial talks held in nine years.

On June 16, the MND said that during his visit to France, the Minister of National Defense, Han Min-koo, held a meeting with French Defense Minister, Jean Yves Le Drian, on the afternoon of June 15, local time. At this meeting, the two ministers exchanged opinions on how to strengthen strategic defense cooperation between our two countries.

The two ministers agreed to shape a cooperative plan regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, under which they will examine and review the implementation status of the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions against the North Korea as well as other further actions. They also came to an agreement on enhancing strategic cooperations that focus on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), and cyber security and defense cooperation.

In addition, the ministers decided to enter into the ‘Agreement on Mutual Logistical Support,’ under which supplies and services are provided first and expenses settled later, to ensure the rapidity and effectiveness of mutual logistical support during times of war and peace. They also plan to expand their institutionalization base for defense cooperation by finalizing the revised version of the ‘MOU on Cooperation in Logistics and Defense Industry’ in June, which both countries settled on in March of 1992.

“It was a meaningful discussion, in which we sought future directives for strategic defense cooperation based on the ‘Action Plan for Strengthening Comprehensive Partnership in the 21st Century’, which was adopted at the summit of our countries in November of last year. The ‘Korea-France Joint Declaration for 130th Anniversary of Amity’ was also adopted at the summit held in early June,” said a MND official.

France has been our traditional ally for 130 years, and is also our blood ally, as it fought in the 6·25 Korean War. Therefore, Minister Han visited and offered flowers to the Korean War monument that was constructed at ‘Pont Marie Park’ in Paris, France, before the meeting. He paid his respects to the war veterans who sacrificed their lives to protect freedom and democracy in Korea, and showed his appreciation and comforted surviving war veterans.

By Byeong-No, Yun < trylover@dema.mil.kr >
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