The defence chiefs of South Korea and France met in Seoul to talk about regional security and enhancing their defence and arms industry collaboration. Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back and French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin discussed the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. They acknowledged growing uncertainties in global security due to tensions in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, agreeing to strengthen communication for peace in the Korean Peninsula and Indo-Pacific.
Both ministers highlighted the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile advancements and its military ties with Russia, seeking France’s ongoing support for denuclearization efforts. They noted expanded cooperation in military training and space-related activities, aiming to enhance collaboration in other security domains. Emphasizing their countries’ competitiveness in the arms industry, they called for further cooperation in a mutually beneficial manner.
South Korea and France signed a preliminary agreement to enhance support for Korean War veterans, with a focus on cooperation in collecting historical records, honoring veterans and their families, and establishing a commemorative facility. This agreement builds upon a previous commitment to collaborate on veterans’ affairs in 2023. France had deployed over 3,400 troops during the Korean War, with significant casualties, including 269 soldiers killed and over 1,000 wounded.
