S. Korea-France defense ministers hold talks.

Ahn Gyu-back expresses appreciation for France’s contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Calls for support for denuclearization and the establishment of lasting peace.

Agree to enhance communication and cooperation for stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, left, meets with French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin to discuss ways to enhance defense and defense industry cooperation at the Defense Ministry in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on April 3.

Korea and France, which fought and shed blood together to defend the South Korea’s liberal democracy during the Korean War, decided to strengthen defense and defense industry cooperation. The two countries also pledged to cooperate in future security domains, including military training and space.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back hosted the Korea-France Defense Ministerial Meeting with French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin at the Defense Ministry in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on April 3, and held in-depth discussions on defense and defense industry cooperation.

Defense Minister Ahn highly commended and expressed appreciation to France for contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as a Korean War participant and traditional ally, on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations.

France, despite its difficult situation immediately after World War II, dispatched one infantry battalion and one destroyer to defend freedom in the Republic of Korea. Although Ralph Monclar had retired as a lieutenant general, he lowered his rank to lieutenant colonel to command this unit and served in the war. The French battalion achieved splendid victories in various battles, including the Battles in Twin Tunnels, Jipyeong-ri Battle, Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, and Arrowhead Hill Battle. France sent more than 3,400 troops, of which nearly 300 heroes fell.

The two defense ministers shared the understanding that uncertainty in the international security environment is growing amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the protracted Russia-Ukraine war. They also pledged to strengthen strategic bilateral communication and collaboration toward peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region as well as the Korean Peninsula.

Minister Ahn stressed that North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile capabilities, along with its illegal military cooperation with Russia, pose grave challenges to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community. Minister Ahn explained the Korean government’s efforts toward denuclearization and a permanent peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula and urged France’s continued interest and support.

The two ministers acknowledged that substantial cooperation in military training and the space sector is expanding, including the Air Force PEGASE training, mutual naval port visits, and participation in the International Space Exercise (SparteX). The ministers pledged to deepen cooperation in future security domains building on these achievements.

The two ministers agreed that the two countries are partners in defense industry cooperation, holding world-leading technology and competitiveness, and pledged to expand mutually complementary defense cooperation.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Korea-France summit was held, and a joint statement on comprehensive cooperation between the two countries was adopted.

At the summit, both governments signed three revised agreements and 11 MOUs and letters of intent to bolster cooperation in various areas, including critical minerals, nuclear power plants, and AI. In addition, two agreements, including the classified military information protection agreement, and eight MOUs and letters of intent for cooperation were also adopted.

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

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