EU-South Korea Summit 2026: Deepening Strategic Ties Amid Global Tensions

On 10-11 June 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met in Brussels for the 11th EU-Republic of Korea summit. The leaders signed a Digital Trade Agreement, announced an EU-ROK Competitiveness Partnership, created a high-level Economic Dialogue, and launched negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement. A joint statement condemned the “Russia-DPRK illegal military cooperation” and reaffirmed support for Ukraine.

South Korea and EU Strongly Condemn Illegal Russia-North Korea Military Cooperation... Discuss Trade Issues Including Steel and CBAM

The EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2011 and has been described as one of the EU’s most successful accords. Trade in goods doubled from 2015 to 2025, reaching approximately €124.25 billion. Both sides cited recent Chinese export restrictions on rare-earths and chip-related materials as a catalyst for diversifying supply chains, especially in semiconductors, batteries and advanced manufacturing.

Euronews

Building on the 2024 Security and Defence Partnership, the summit extended cooperation in maritime security, cyber and hybrid threats, and protection of undersea infrastructure. Leaders agreed to begin talks on a Security of Information Agreement to enable classified-information exchange. The joint statement explicitly condemned Russian support for Ukraine and North Korean assistance to Moscow, urging both states to cease such activities and comply with UN Charter obligations.

EuronewsSouth Korea, EU condemn Russia-North Korea military ties upon new partnershipEU, South Korea vow deeper cooperation as leaders stress security increasingly interconnectedKorea, EU Condemn North Korea's Support for Russia, Reject Nuclear State Status

The newly signed Digital Trade Agreement, signed by Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefcovic, aims to reduce digital-trade barriers, facilitate cross-border data flows and prohibit mandatory source-code transfers. The Competitiveness Partnership will address supply-chain resilience, artificial-intelligence cooperation, energy transition and climate policy. European firms announced €165 million of new investment commitments, including German ORAFOL’s expansion in Korea and Dutch Prodrive Technologies’ establishment of a Korean entity for semiconductor equipment.

South Korea, EU condemn Russia-North Korea military ties upon new partnership

By linking economic security with defence collaboration, the summit seeks to reduce vulnerabilities exposed by the war in Ukraine, North Korean nuclear developments and heightened US-China competition. Strengthening semiconductor supply chains and digital trade is intended to bolster the EU’s strategic autonomy, while coordinated maritime and cyber security measures address shared threats in the Indo-Pacific and European waters.

South Korea, EU condemn Russia-North Korea military ties upon new partnership

The joint declaration reaffirmed commitment to “effective multilateralism,” a “rules-based free and fair economic order,” and the “complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.” Von der Leyen described Korea as “one of Europe’s closest partners” and highlighted the interconnection of security across regions. Lee emphasized the need for the Security of Information Agreement to enable safe industrial and research cooperation. Costa labelled the partners “trusted strategic partners and friends” sharing democratic values.

EU, South Korea vow deeper cooperation as leaders stress security increasingly interconnected

Negotiations on the Security of Information Agreement did not conclude at the summit, leaving the timeline for implementation unspecified. The Digital Trade Agreement’s provisions on personal-data protection retain separate national regimes, offering limited detail on harmonisation. No dissenting positions from opposition parties or civil-society groups were reported in the sources.

Euronews

• “Korea is one of Europe’s closest partners in the Indo-Pacific region and on the global stage,” — Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Euronews

• “I hope that the security of information agreement will be adopted soon, so that Korea and the EU can share confidential information safely, which will allow the two sides to engage in industrial and research cooperation actively through information exchange exchange,” — President Lee Jae-myung

Euronews

• “We condemn support by third parties, in particular the DPRK, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine. We strongly condemn Russia-DPRK illegal military cooperation,” — Joint statement, EU-ROK summit

South Korea, EU condemn Russia-North Korea military ties upon new partnership

• “Our security is more interconnected than ever,” — Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President

EU, South Korea vow deeper cooperation as leaders stress security increasingly interconnected

• “We will launch the EU-Republic of Korea Competitiveness Partnership to enhance competitiveness and economic resilience in a structured manner,” — Joint statement, EU-ROK summit

South Korea, EU condemn Russia-North Korea military ties upon new partnership

• “We agreed to begin negotiations on a security of information agreement to strengthen bilateral security and defense cooperation with growing uncertainties in the international order,” — President Lee Jae-myung

EU, South Korea vow deeper cooperation as leaders stress security increasingly interconnected

President Lee will continue his European tour with meetings in Belgium, Italy and the Vatican, and will attend the G7 summit in Evian, France (16-17 June 2026) as an invited partner, where further discussions on AI, economic imbalances and security are expected.

South Korea, EU condemn Russia-North Korea military ties upon new partnership