S. Korea, France agree to bolster defense cooperation

All News 17:28 April 18, 2019

SEOUL, April 18 (Yonhap) -- Senior officials of South Korea and France agreed Thursday to strengthen their defense cooperation in exchanges of senior military officials, maritime security and other areas, Seoul's defense ministry said.

Chung Suk-hwan, South Korea's deputy defense minister for policy, and Alice Guitton, France's director-general for international relations and strategy, reached the agreement during their strategic defense dialogue in Seoul.

As a follow-up measure to last year's summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and French President Emmanuel Macron, the two sides agreed to bolster cooperation in the defense sector, including peace-keeping operations.

During the meeting, Chung called for France's support for Seoul's push for denuclearization and a lasting peace on the divided peninsula and explained his government's efforts for inter-Korean rapprochement.

Guitton pledged that her government, in tandem with the international community, will provide active support for peace and stability on the peninsula, while recognizing Seoul's efforts to reduce military tensions and foster dialogue with Pyongyang.

Chung also used the session to offer words of consolation to the French people over the recent fire at Paris' iconic Notre Dame Cathedral.

"This strategic dialogue is expected to contribute to deepening and enhancing bilateral relations, including defense exchanges and cooperation, by improving mutual understanding and trust," the ministry said in a press release.

The dialogue was launched in 2007. The previous session was held in Paris in 2017.