LOC12:34
09:34 GMT
TOKYO, Jan 30 (KUNA) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday discussed South Korea-NATO ties, Seoul's Indo-Pacific strategy and North Korea's nuclear program, among other issues, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing Presidential Office.
During their meeting in Seoul, Yoon promised to provide continued support for the Ukrainian people in their war against Russia, according to senior presidential secretary for press affairs Kim Eun-hye.
"Secretary General Stoltenberg explained the current situation in Ukraine and expressed his thanks for South Korea's continued assistance, emphasizing the need to ensure the international community is not imprinted with the wrong message that an armed invasion is acceptable," Kim said.
"President Yoon said he will continue to fulfill all possible roles in cooperation with the international community to help the Ukrainian people," she noted.
Yoon recalled his attendance at a NATO summit in Madrid last June and expressed hope South Korea and the alliance will further expand their cooperation through the country's newly established mission to NATO.
He also explained the details of South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy announced last December and noted the need to cooperate with NATO in its implementation.
On North Korea, Yoon called for the active role of the secretary general and NATO in discouraging the regime from carrying out further provocations amid its continued advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities.
Earlier in the day, Stoltenberg and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup discussed regional security and bilateral cooperation. Lee expressed his appreciation for NATO's condemnation of past North Korean provocations and its support for Seoul's efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to the Defense Ministry.
Stoltenberg said the North's nuclear program and its missile provocations are a breach of UN Security Council resolutions and a significant threat to global peace, while pledging to continue NATO's backing of Seoul's peace endeavors.
The two sides also agreed to work together to strengthen communication for potential areas of new cooperation, such as defense science and technology, the ministry said. Stoltenberg arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a two-day visit and is set to depart for Japan later in the day. (end)
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