South Korea and EU Strongly Condemn Illegal Russia-North Korea Military Cooperation... Discuss Trade Issues Including Steel and CBAM

Adoption of Joint Statement with EU Leadership
"North Korea Cannot Be Recognized as a Nuclear-Armed State"

South Korea and the European Union (EU) strongly condemned the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea and made it clear in a joint statement that North Korea cannot be recognized as a nuclear-armed state.

President Lee Jae-myung is waiting to begin an expanded luncheon meeting with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on the 10th (local time). 2026.6.10 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap News

During his visit to Belgium, President Lee Jae-myung held a summit meeting on June 10 (local time) at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The three leaders adopted a joint statement encompassing cooperation on security, the economy, and climate issues.

This joint statement directly targeted Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and North Korea’s support for it. Both South Korea and the EU condemned third-party support that enables Russia’s war, particularly North Korea’s assistance, and strongly criticized the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. They also urged both countries to cease such activities and to comply with the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The statement also included a firm stance on the North Korean nuclear issue. Both parties expressed serious concern over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and stated that North Korea must comply with its obligations as a non-nuclear-weapon state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreement. In particular, they made it clear that North Korea will never be recognized as a nuclear-armed state under the NPT and will not be granted any special status in this regard.

Regarding the Korean Peninsula, the statement included support for the South Korean government’s efforts to resume dialogue. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability and the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and expressed support for efforts to expand inter-Korean exchanges and normalize relations, as well as for tension reduction and confidence-building for peaceful coexistence. They also highlighted the importance of improving the human rights situation in North Korea and the need to allow access for international and humanitarian organizations.

The joint statement also included a common stance on the situation in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East. Both sides expressed support for freedom of navigation and overflight, including in the South China Sea, and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. They also sent a message opposing any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force in the Indo-Pacific region. Regarding the Middle East, they stressed the importance of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, freedom of navigation, civilian protection, and respect for international law.

Support for Establishment of High-Level Economic Dialogue... Presidential Office: "EU Regulations Must Not Become New Trade Barriers"

President Lee Jae-myung is moving to the welcome ceremony after taking a commemorative photo with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on June 10, 2026(local time). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In the economic field, both sides agreed to expand cooperation in supply chains, advanced technology, energy, digital, and innovation. They announced their support for the establishment of a high-level South Korea-EU economic dialogue to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, economic security, and industrial policy. The statement also included a commitment to ensure a level playing field in both markets based on the full implementation of the South Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Key issues such as steel and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) were also discussed at the summit level. Both sides agreed to jointly address the problem of global steel overcapacity through forums such as the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC). They also agreed to maintain close consultations on their respective legislation and policies, including industrial policy, the circular economy, and carbon border adjustment measures for energy-intensive industries.

The Presidential Office had previously stated that it would convey its position that EU regulatory measures, such as the reduction of steel tariff quotas and the CBAM, should not serve as new trade barriers for Korean companies. While the joint statement did not include specific adjustment measures, as both sides agreed to continue consultations on related legislation and policies, alleviating the burden on Korean companies is expected to become a key agenda item in future working-level discussions.

Cooperation on climate and environmental issues was also included in the statement. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as energy transition, national greenhouse gas reduction targets, ending plastic pollution, and enhancing marine protection, based on the South Korea-EU Green Partnership.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.