ROK-EU Special Session at Hongneung Defence Forum explores ways to deepen security and defence partnership for a safer Indo-Pacific

ROK-EU Special Session at Hongneung Defence Forum explores ways to deepen security and defence partnership for a safer Indo-Pacific

Building on growing convergence in security and defence between the Republic of Korea and the European Union (EU), a ROK-EU Special Session on day two of the Hongneung Defence Forum was organised by the EU Delegation to the Republic of Korea and the Korean Institute for Defence Analysis (KIDA), with the support of the EU project ESIWA+ (Enhancing the EU's Security Cooperation In and With Asia and the Indo-Pacific).

Held at the KIDA premises, this Special Session benefited from the fresh impetus given to the bilateral relationship by the EU-RoK Security and Defence Partnership adopted in November 2024.

Jung-soo Kim, President of KIDA, said in his opening remarks: "The importance of security and defence cooperation between Korea and Europe will further expand as both sides work together to uphold a stable security order in the Indo-Pacific region."

Roland Honekamp, Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation, said: "In line with the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy, we are looking to increase the EU's profile in this dynamically changing region, as a geopolitical actor based on our values and interests, and as a reliable security partner."

He added: "Since both the EU and Korea experience similar threats to their critical infrastructure, and challenges triggered by AI and other disruptive technologies, we have good reasons to strengthen our cooperation. This will help us to better protect our respective institutions, economies and societies, and will contribute to the stability and prosperity of Europe and the Indo-Pacific."

Korean security and defence practitioners were joined for the session by their European counterparts representing EU institutions, EU Member States, think tanks, academia and the private sector.

The discussions unfolded in the context of a rapidly evolving and uncertain global security environment. The Russian war against Ukraine, intensifying geopolitical rivalry, and the growing military alignment between North Korea and Russia have all led to more instability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Experts focused on current trends, and the potential for bilateral cooperation in domains such as the new faces of maritime and cyber security, counterterrorism and crisis management in an era of hybrid threats, as well as on emerging and disruptive technologies such as AI and drones.

About the EU's ESIWA+ project:

ESIWA+ (Enhancing the EU's Security Cooperation In and With Asia and the Indo-Pacific) works to enhance cooperation in four thematic areas: counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism, crisis management/addressing hybrid threats, cyber security, and maritime security. ESIWA+ is co-funded by the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), Germany and France. The project is co-implemented by the German Corporation for International Cooperation, and by Expertise France.

For more information, please contact:Ahee Kim Press & Information Officer at the EU Delegation to [email protected]

Rahul Venkit Communications & Visibility Expert, ESIWA+ [email protected]