How is South Korea Strengthening Ties with EU Leaders?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- South Korea is committed to enhancing its relationship with the EU.
- Meetings with EU leaders focused on shared challenges and cooperation.
- Discussions included advanced technology cooperation.
- Yoon Yeo-joon appointed as the special envoy to the EU.
- Efforts to deepen strategic partnerships were emphasized.
Seoul, July 17 (NationPress) This week, a South Korean presidential delegation engaged with prominent leaders of the European Union in Brussels, emphasizing the Lee Jae Myung administration’s dedication to enhancing collaboration with the EU in order to tackle mutual challenges, as stated by Seoul's foreign ministry on Thursday.
The delegation, spearheaded by former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-joon, met with Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, on Tuesday, followed by a discussion with Christel Schaldemose, vice president of the European Parliament, on Wednesday, according to a ministry release.
Earlier this week, Lee appointed Yoon, a prominent political strategist, as his special envoy to the 27-member EU bloc, along with three others who will be sent to France, Britain, and India. Lee assumed office in early June, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
During the meetings, the delegation presented Lee's pragmatic foreign policy strategy and expressed optimism about collaborating closely with the EU to 'forge a pathway to peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula by resuming inter-Korean dialogue, reducing military tensions, and fostering trust,' the ministry noted.
Yoon personally handed a letter from Lee to Costa, articulating his vision for strengthening ties with the EU.
Both parties agreed to enhance their cooperation in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and various other sectors.
Costa expressed enthusiasm for an upcoming summit between the EU and South Korea.
In the discussion with Schaldemose, the two sides deliberated on strategies to further enrich the strategic partnership between South Korea and the EU, recognizing the necessity of expanding exchanges at the parliamentary level.