Evolving Korea-NATO Relations: Global, Indo-Pacific and Korean Perspectives

By Wooyeal Paik and Yoon Jung Choi

06.02.2023

Korea and NATO increasingly share a common perception of threats and challenges in the Indo-Pacific, not least due to the rise of China in the region. In recent years, Korea and NATO have developed deeper cooperation but there is still scope for both sides to better align their approaches to the Indo-Pacific region. Accordingly, Korea and NATO need to invest in a step-by-step approach based on enhanced public diplomacy and strategic dialogue. Both sides should also invest in the human resources needed to meet the high demand for Korea-NATO cooperation, and the partners can also profit from closer defence-industrial ties and technology exchange. In this sense, the focus should be on tangible forms of cooperation that deliver results to solving regional problems. Lastly, both sides need to understand that their growing bond may be perceived negatively in some parts of the Indo-Pacific region.

CSDS Policy brief_2302.pdf (365.11 KB)