Reporter Kayla Lee

During his visit to Vilnius, Lithuania, to attend the NATO Summit, President Yoon Suk-yeol held a meeting with Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), on July 11 (local time). They exchanged views on Korea-NATO cooperation, the Ukraine conflict, and North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

President Yoon highly evaluated the ongoing development of the cooperative relationship between Korea and NATO as partners sharing core values. 

In particular, both sides welcomed the signing of the Individual Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP) during this NATO Summit as a foundation for institutionalizing cooperation between the two parties. President Yoon also discussed ways to significantly enhance information sharing between Korea and the NATO.

Furthermore, President Yoon explained Korea's proposal to establish an "International Cyber Training Center" and host international cyber training events, positioning Korea as a leading country in cybersecurity in the Asia-Pacific region. 

He expressed expectations for close cooperation between the Korea International Cyber Training Center and NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE). 

Secretary General Stoltenberg praised Korea's role as the first Asian country to join NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre in 2022 and expressed hope for continued and strengthened cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, which is of transnational importance.

President Yoon reaffirmed Korea's unwavering support for Ukraine and acknowledged Secretary General Stoltenberg's leadership in leading NATO since 2014. Secretary General Stoltenberg expressed gratitude for the support of the Korean government for the Ukrainian people.

Additionally, President Yoon emphasized the need for the international community to send a strong message in response to North Korea's illegal nuclear and missile provocations and urged NATO's continued support in this regard. 

Secretary General Stoltenberg reaffirmed NATO's support for the Korean government's efforts toward complete denuclearization of North Korea and sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula.