From 11 to 12 September 2024, Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer participated in the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) in the Republic of Korea. During the opening session on "Deterring War and Preserving Rules-Based International Order" Admiral Bauer delivered a key note address on the importance of Partnerships in an increasingly divided world. During the conference, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee conducted bilateral meetings with the Minister of National Defence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea, as well as the Minister of Defence of Mongolia.
In his keynote address, Admiral Bauer underlined the global repercussions of Russia's war against Ukraine. He commended the Republic of Korea for their strong and unwavering support to Ukraine. He stated that NATO strongly condemns the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which undermines peace on the Korean Peninsula and fuels the war on Ukraine. Admiral Bauer highlighted how NATO and its Indo-Pacific Partners are further strengthening cooperation on multiple levels. "There is no stronger weapon in the world than unity. Together we will prove that democracy will triumph over tyranny."
The bilateral meeting with Republic of Korea Minister of National Defence KIM Yong-hyun, offered a chance to share assessments of the global security environment and how to enhance cooperation. NATO and the Republic of Korea work together bilaterally on a number of shared cross-regional security challenges, which include cyber defence, arms control and non-proliferation, technology and counter-terrorism. They also cooperate as part of NATO's broader relations with its partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The Republic of Korea and NATO are committed to enhancing political dialogue and practical cooperation in order to uphold and strengthen the rules-based international order.
In the meeting with Admiral Kim Myung-soo, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS), Admiral Bauer discussed the current cooperation under the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme that was agreed in 2023. Political dialogue and practical cooperation are being developed across priority areas, including non-proliferation, cyber defence, science and technology, counter-terrorism, interoperability, and defence against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents.
In his meeting with Minister of Defence of Mongolia Byambatsogt Sandag, Admiral Bauer expressed his gratitude for the way in which he was received in Mongolia earlier this week. NATO and Mongolia are jointly working on strengthening relations based on shared values and common interests.
On the margins of the conference, the French Contact Point Embassy hosted a gathering of the Allied heads of delegation. Here, Admiral Bauer spoke about the importance of applying a holistic approach to Partnerships that includes both military and political aspects.
The main theme of the 2024 Seoul Defense Dialogue was "International Cooperation Beyond Global Security Challenges. SDD is a global gathering of high-level defence officials and civilian security experts. Since 2012 the SDD has contributed to multilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and peace on the Korean Peninsula by fostering constructive engagement and dialogue.
See Admiral Bauer's Keynote Address at the Seoul Defense Dialogue
