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South Korea in discussions for the establishment of a NATO strategic dialogue group in September

South Korea is planning to establish a defense consultative body with NATO by September, aiming to broaden defense collaborations.

South Korea Discussing Establishment of NATO Strategic Advisory Council in September
South Korea Discussing Establishment of NATO Strategic Advisory Council in September

South Korea in discussions for the establishment of a NATO strategic dialogue group in September

South Korea and NATO are set to establish a defense consultative body in September 2025, a move that is expected to open new avenues for South Korean defense exports to European NATO member states. The consultative body aims to strengthen cooperation in areas like joint weapons acquisition, research and development, logistics support, standardization, airworthiness certification, and training and education.

The final arrangements for the consultative body are being coordinated by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and NATO. The idea for the consultative body was first proposed by DAPA Commissioner Seok Jong-gun during his visit to Belgium in April. The proposal gained traction following a meeting between National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in The Hague in June.

The timeliness of the projected expansion of the European defense market for South Korean defense firms is highlighted by a DAPA official. NATO member states agreed to raise their total defense-related expenditure to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, with 3.5% allocated to defense budgets and 1.5% to indirect investments. This commitment by NATO member states is in response to US President Donald Trump's demands and was made in June.

The inaugural session of this body is being discussed for late September in Brussels, Belgium. The consultative body is expected to provide South Korean defense companies with an additional export channel to NATO's European member states. South Korean defense firms are known for their cost competitiveness and rapid delivery, qualities in demand as Europe seeks to replenish and upgrade its military inventories rapidly.

By engaging with NATO’s evolving defense spending and strategic plans, South Korea is positioning its defense sector not just commercially, but as a core part of a broader security alliance. This alignment with NATO priorities boosts confidence and demand among European buyers. The consultative body institutionalizes South Korea-NATO defense cooperation, facilitating defense exports by aligning South Korean industry with European security needs and NATO’s increased defense budgets.

The expansion of the European defense market is seen as a strategic opportunity for South Korean defense exporters. The consultative body is intended to expand opportunities for South Korean defense firms to enter the European market. The partnership between South Korea and NATO, particularly through the establishment of a defense consultative body, is expected to have a positive and strengthening impact on South Korea’s defense exports to European NATO countries.

Discussions about South Korea's participation in NATO’s High Visibility Projects, focused on joint development and procurement of advanced military capabilities, further integrate South Korea into European defense frameworks and potentially enhance export prospects. The consensus from multiple reports points to a strengthening impact on South Korea’s defense exports to European NATO countries owing to this partnership.

  1. The establishment of the defense consultative body between South Korea and NATO is expected to expand opportunities for South Korean defense firms in the European market, given their cost competitiveness and rapid delivery, which are in high demand as Europe seeks to rapidly replenish and upgrade its military inventories.
  2. By aligning South Korean industry with European security needs and NATO's increased defense budgets through the defense consultative body, the partnership between South Korea and NATO is expected to have a strengthening impact on South Korea’s defense exports to European NATO countries.

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