Chairman Kim Myung Soo and NATO’s Rob Bauer Discuss Enhancing Military Cooperation Amid Security Challenges

On Monday afternoon, Kim Myung Soo, Chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, held a coordination call with Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and Admiral of the Royal Netherlands Navy. During the call, they shared assessments of the current security situation on the Korean Peninsula and discussed ways to enhance South Korean military cooperation.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to forcefully opposing illegal changes to the status quo. They agreed that communication and cooperation must expand to maintain a rules-based international order.

Kim emphasized that North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, along with recent military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, pose significant challenges to global peace and stability. He stressed the urgent need for joint responses from the international community, including NATO, in light of increasing uncertainties.

Bauer outlined the agenda for the NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defense Session, which will take place next Wednesday and Thursday. He also called for South Korea to participate actively in and support NATO collaboration.

Meanwhile, Bauer will complete his three-and-a-half-year term following the conclusion of the NATO Military Committee meeting and step down the following Friday. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the former Italian Chief of Defense and Admiral of the Italian Navy will take office as the new NATO Military Committee Chairman.