S. Korea, France discuss strategic coordination amid deepening NK-Russia ties

Defense officials from South Korea and France met in Paris on Friday to discuss strengthening strategic coordination amid growing military ties between North Korea and Russia, according to a statement from South Korea's defense ministry. Deputy Defense Minister for Policy Kim Hong-cheol and Guillaume Ollagnier, the director-general for international relations and strategy at France's Ministry for the Armed Forces and Veterans, had a strategic dialogue focused on security issues concerning the Korean Peninsula and Europe.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged assessments on North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. They agreed that the increasing links between security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region necessitate further strengthening of bilateral coordination. Kim briefed France on South Korea's policy towards peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and sought France's continued attention and support for this endeavor.

Moreover, the officials agreed to enhance the institutional basis for defense cooperation. They proposed revising the bilateral agreement on classified military information sharing to foster greater collaboration. The dialogue aimed to bolster strategic coordination in the face of the deepening ties between North Korea and Russia.