NATO and the Republic of Korea initiated dialogue in 2005. At that time, the then Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon addressed the North Atlantic Council. Since then, relations have evolved through regular high-level talks with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In July 2010, Assistant Secretary General Dirk Brengelmann travelled to Seoul to hold discussions with officials from the Foreign Ministry. He hosted the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a subsequent round of high-level discussions, which introduced a new dimension of cooperation on emerging security challenges.
The Republic of Korea is interested in active cooperation with NATO Allies and partners in areas related to peace-support operations, arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, and education and training.
The Republic of Korea also contributes to stabilization efforts in Afghanistan. The country is leading an integrated civilian-military Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Parwan province. The Republic of Korea has made a generous US$ 500 million contribution to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund.
- The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the Partnership for Peace, the Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.