IRIA News

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The European Union and South Korea agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership during the 11th EU–South Korea Summit held in Brussels on June 10, 2026. The leaders from both sides announced deeper cooperation on security, trade, technology, energy, and regional stability.

The meeting brought together European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The leaders emphasized that growing geopolitical uncertainty has made security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific increasingly interconnected, requiring closer coordination between like-minded partners.

One of the summit’s key outcomes was the decision to begin negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement that would allow the secure exchange of confidential and classified information between the EU and South Korea.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said recent global developments demonstrate that events in one region can quickly affect another. She pointed to North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine as an example of how European and Indo-Pacific security challenges have become linked.

The EU and Republic of Korea are strengthening our Strategic Partnership – to cooperate more on security, trade, the economy and industrial policy.

We are working together for the prosperity and security of our citizens. pic.twitter.com/Lem7E4e5r7

— António Costa (@eucopresident) June 10, 2026

President Lee welcomed the planned agreement and expressed hope that it would be finalized soon, allowing both sides to safely share sensitive information and expand cooperation in research, industry, and defense.

The new initiative builds on the Security and Defense Partnership signed in 2024 and is expected to strengthen collaboration on maritime security, cyber threats, hybrid warfare, foreign information manipulation, nuclear non-proliferation, space security, and defense industries.

Strong Support for Rules-Based International Order

The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to democracy, multilateralism, international law, and a rules-based global order.

Antonio Costa stressed that military aggression must not be allowed to threaten the sovereignty or territorial integrity of countries, warning that failure to uphold these principles would undermine global stability.

The summit also addressed Russia’s war against Ukraine, with both sides condemning Moscow’s actions and supporting efforts toward a just and lasting peace.

They reaffirmed their commitment to assisting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction while calling on Russia and North Korea to end military cooperation and comply with United Nations obligations.

Concerns Over North Korea

North Korea remained a major topic of discussion throughout the summit. President Lee called for continued European support in addressing Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The leaders expressed serious concern over North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The joint statement also supported efforts to reduce tensions through dialogue, confidence-building measures, and expanded inter-Korean exchanges aimed at achieving peaceful coexistence and normalization.

Digital Trade Agreement

A major economic achievement of the summit was the signing of a landmark Digital Trade Agreement designed to modernize commercial ties between the EU and South Korea.

The agreement establishes common rules for cross-border data flows, electronic contracts, digital signatures, consumer protection, and online trade while reducing unnecessary barriers to digital commerce. It also provides greater legal certainty for businesses operating across both markets and prohibits mandatory transfers of source code.

The digital accord complements the existing free trade agreement between the two partners, which has significantly increased trade and investment since entering into force in 2011.

The EU and the Republic of Korea may be geographically distant, but our security is closely linked.

It was good to see President @Jaemyung_Lee and Foreign Minister @FMChoHyun today at our Summit to boost trade, security and defence ties.

When the international rules-based… pic.twitter.com/T8Xdk2hEnN

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) June 10, 2026

According to EU figures discussed during the summit, trade in goods between the two sides has grown steadily over the past decade, averaging annual growth of 5.3% between 2011 and 2025. Overall bilateral goods trade reached approximately $145 billion in 2025 after converting from the reported euro value.

Competitiveness and Supply Chain Resilience

The leaders agreed to launch a new EU–South Korea Competitiveness Partnership and establish a High-Level Economic Dialogue covering trade, investment, industrial policy, artificial intelligence, and economic security.

Supply chain resilience emerged as another major priority as both sides seek to diversify sources of critical materials and reduce vulnerabilities linked to geopolitical tensions. Cooperation will focus on securing access to strategic raw materials, strengthening semiconductor supply chains, and protecting sensitive technologies.

South Korea’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing was highlighted as an important area for expanded cooperation with Europe, benefiting industries ranging from automotive production to advanced technologies.

Energy and Green Transition Cooperation

The summit also produced commitments to strengthen collaboration on energy security and clean technologies.

Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in hydrogen development, offshore wind projects, nuclear energy, including small modular reactors, and broader low-carbon technologies through a new high-level energy dialogue.

The EU-Republic of Korea summit has just started.

The EU and the Republic of Korea share a dynamic trade relationship worth over €124 billion in goods in 2025. The country is the EU’s 8th-largest trading partner.

More facts and figures 👉 https://t.co/pnC1eusKRu pic.twitter.com/MCtphbE0vt

— EU Council (@EUCouncil) June 10, 2026

Leaders also pledged to work together on research, innovation, deep technology startups, circular economy initiatives, maritime cooperation, and efforts to keep the global temperature increase within internationally agreed targets.

Shared Views on Indo-Pacific and Middle East Security

Discussions extended beyond Europe and the Korean Peninsula to broader regional challenges.

The EU and South Korea reiterated their support for freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea, and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait while opposing unilateral attempts to change the status quo.

Regarding the Middle East, the leaders called for restraint, de-escalation, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and full compliance with international law.

Expanding People-to-People Ties

Alongside strategic and economic cooperation, the summit emphasized strengthening educational, cultural, and research exchanges between Europe and South Korea.

The leaders pledged continued collaboration through programs such as Erasmus+ and the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions while encouraging greater cooperation among higher education institutions and research organizations.

The Brussels summit demonstrated the growing importance both sides place on their relationship amid increasing geopolitical uncertainty.

By expanding cooperation in security, digital trade, advanced technology, energy, and economic resilience, the EU and South Korea signaled their intention to deepen a partnership that extends well beyond traditional trade ties and addresses a wide range of shared global challenges.