Chair of the NATO Military Committee takes part in Seoul Defense Dialogue

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr. Yong-hyun KIM,
Mr. Bill BLAIR,

I am honoured to participate in this panel together with you.

The 13th edition of the Seoul Defence Dialogue comes at a time when the world is on a historic crossroads. The tectonic plates of power are shifting. And as a result: we face the most dangerous world in decades, with the highest number of conflicts since World War II.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a conflict with global consequences. Through brutal violence, Russia is trying to undermine and destroy the rules-based international order. An order that was created after two devastating world wars, in which millions and millions of people suffered unimaginable horrors and countless lives were lost.

Vowing to never let this happen again, the global community chose to create a system in which countries have the sovereign right to determine their own fate. A system in which conflicts are resolved peacefully. And where the rule of law applies to all.

That system is under attack. And it is up to all of us to protect it. Russia’s war against Ukraine has global repercussions. The Russian leadership is willing not only to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of their own people – not even bothering to pick up their corpses on the battlefield.

But what’s more: they are willing to jeopardise the wellbeing of millions more around the globe. Using food, energy, and migration as weapons. And all the while, autocratic leaders around the world are watching closely to see how this conflict unfolds. Aiding where they can. Seeking to create division and to destroy democracy abroad… all in order to retain autocracy at home.

A number of formerly deeply isolated countries are using this opportunity to be part of what is sometimes referred to in the media as “an alliance of autocracies”. But I think “alliance” is too big of a word for what is essentially a deeply flawed exchange of self-interest. There is no true friendship or trust. There is only a temporary alignment.

Nevertheless, it is important that we see how the dots are connecting. Because in this hyperconnected era, the security of Europe and Asia cannot be separated.

Just as President Yoon said on the margins of the Washington summit: “The military and economic support that Russia provides North Korea will increase threats posed to the security of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific”.

NATO strongly condemns the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. This undermines peace on the Korean Peninsula and fuels the war in Ukraine.

We also strongly condemn North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile tests, which violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions. It is very concerning – and telling – that two permanent members of the Security Council (Russia and China) are not condemning North Korea for these violations. The missile and nuclear programmes of North Korea are a threat to the region and also to global security.

NATO is also deeply concerned about the role that China plays in international security. Over the summer, we have all seen the footage of the Chinese coast guard ships intentionally hitting the ships of the Philippine coast guard in the South China Sea. Once again, China is showing the world that it does not believe in freedom of navigation and that it does not respect the international maritime laws.

China has also become a decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine through its large-scale support for Russia’s defence industrial base. China has increased its defence spending and continues to build its military capabilities in all domains, including a nuclear arsenal, without any form of transparency.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The best response to these rising levels of conflicts and growing insecurity, is to stand together firmer than ever.
To be closer than ever. To be more united than ever. And that is exactly what NATO and NATO Partners are doing.

We are presenting a united front in our support to Ukraine. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Republic of Korea publicly for their strong and unwavering support to Ukraine. You are leading by example, and your influence extends far beyond the Korean peninsula. You are showing the world that this conflict affects all of us.

This is about how we live together on this planet and how we resolve our differences. Presenting a united front. In the end, that is what deterrence is all about.

Deterrence is the seven-foot-tall bouncer in front of the nightclub who makes you think twice about whether you want to force yourself in. It is about having the political will and the military capabilities to be credible and act decisively when necessary. Because when it comes to collective defence: time is not on your side. And this is true for the Euro-Atlantic Area, as well as the Indo Pacific.

You need to prepare yourself for all types of scenarios, in all military domains, in all geographical areas. You need to have a 360-degree approach to security. Because your adversary will always find and chose your weakest point, your blind spot, to attack.

Here lies the true value of partnerships. It helps us shed light on our blind spots; get rid of some of the unconscious bias we all have, and learn from different threat perceptions and military capabilities. Therefore, NATO and its 4 Indo-Pacific Partners (South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand) have set up multiple layers of cooperation. We are working on a bilateral basis: through our Individual Tailored Partnership Programmes. We working in a communal setting with all 4 Partners: by implementing the Agenda for Tackling Shared Security Challenges. This covers for instance arms control, cyber defence, climate change and maritime security. And on the military level we are working to increase our interoperability. NATO’s Indo-Pacific Partners are participating more and more in NATO and Allied exercises.

Just two weeks ago, the Republic of Korea and the United States concluded exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield. This training against an all-out war scenario bolstered the joint readiness. And in the future, our military cooperation will further intensify.

This is not about NATO becoming a global Alliance. In a few weeks, I will attend – for the third time in a row – the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference. I am the first ever Chair of the NATO Military Committee to attend these conferences. Two years ago, when I attended for the first time, I stated to the Chiefs of Defence: ”I am not here to look for new members”.

This was received with uncomfortable laughter (and I daresay a hint of relief) in the audience. But I meant it. NATO is a regional organisation. And will remain so. But when it comes to security, there is no such thing as local. It makes all kinds of sense to intensify Partnerships that make us all stronger in an increasingly dangerous world. And the importance of personal relationships in all this cannot be overestimated.

That is why I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend this conference. This setting allows us all to think about the “we” in a world of “me”. Russia’s war against Ukraine has never been about any real security threat from either Ukraine or NATO. This war is about the Kremlin’s fear of democracy. Because if the people in Ukraine can have real democratic rights, then the people in Russia will soon crave them too. And here, the interests of the Russian leadership align with the interests of other authoritarian leaders.

Over the past 2,5 years, they have been shocked by the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. And they have been shocked by the united response from NATO and its Partners.  There is no stronger weapon in the world… than unity.

Together we will prove that democracy will triumph over tyranny. That freedom will triumph over oppression. And that light will triumph over darkness.

Thank you and I look forward to the discussion.

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