President Lee: "In Uncertain Times, Defense Industry Cooperation Must Be Faster"... Proposes 'Joint Growth' at NATO

"Just as We Responded to the Energy Crisis, We Must Pool Our Wisdom for Defense"

Extension of Korea-NATO Defense Industry Partnership 2.0 Proposal

Brief Summit with Canadian Prime Minister... "Moving Forward Together Toward a Greater Future"

President Lee Jae-myung, who is visiting Ankara, Turkey to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, reiterated on July 8 his commitment to expanding the speed and scope of defense industry cooperation, stating, "In uncertain times, actions must be bolder and collaboration must happen even faster."

President Lee Jae-myung is responding to a participant's question at the NATO Defense Industry Forum held at the Ankara Convention Center in Turkey on the 7th (local time). 2026.7.7 Yonhap News Agency

President Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that, "Just as we pooled our wisdom to respond to the energy crisis, I hope in the defense industry as well, we can combine our strengths to open a path for everyone to grow together."

This statement is seen as an extension of President Lee's "Korea-NATO Defense Industry Partnership 2.0" initiative, which he proposed at the NATO Defense Industry Forum held in Ankara the previous day. In his keynote speech, President Lee emphasized that cooperation should move beyond traditional arms trade to include joint research, production, and operation.

President Lee stated, "We are in an era where the very foundation of the defense industry determines a nation's survival," and added, "If the Republic of Korea's stable production capacity and proven technologies are combined with NATO's longstanding expertise, the security capabilities of both sides will become far more powerful." He pointed out that as advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and robotics are changing the nature of warfare, the defense supply chain and production capacity themselves are now core pillars of security.

At the forum, President Lee specifically cited the example of International Energy Agency member countries jointly managing strategic oil reserves to respond to energy crises, saying that a similar framework for joint demand creation, standardization, and production cooperation should be established in the defense sector. He outlined a vision to elevate defense industry cooperation from a simple export-import relationship to a strategic partnership encompassing security, industry, and technology.

President Lee Jae-myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held a summit on the 7th (local time) at the Ankara Convention Center in Turkey. 2026.7.8 Yonhap News Agency

In line with his NATO schedule, President Lee also delivered a message of cooperation regarding his brief summit with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. President Lee shared a photo of their meeting on Instagram and stated, "As partners who empower one another, the Republic of Korea and Canada will move forward together toward a greater future." He added to Prime Minister Carney, "It was a pleasure to meet you again."

Wiryang Satellite, policy chief at the National Security Office, said in a local briefing in Ankara, "Korea and Canada will continue to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership," and emphasized, "During the recent submarine bid process, the two countries confirmed the potential for cooperation in various areas including defense, defense industry, energy, and key minerals, and will continue to expand practical cooperation in these fields." He added that the two leaders held specific discussions on future cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI).

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