BLUF

South Korea aims to transition from a fast, reliable arms supplier to a fully embedded NATO defence partner by localizing production, enhancing technological cooperation, and aligning politically with Europe amid shifting global security dynamics.

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Understand how South Korea’s defence industry evolved into a major global exporter and why Europe has become a key growth arena.
  2. Identify the strategic, political, and technological factors shaping long‑term NATO–ROK defence cooperation.
  3. Assess what South Korea must do to shift from arms vendor to trusted European defence partner.
READ: Are Long-Term NATO–South Korea Defense Ties Possible? Transitioning From an Arms Exporter to a Trusted Defense Partner

References