South Korea, EU reaffirm commitment to denuclearization of Korean Peninsula

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, reaffirming a commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The leaders issued a joint statement expressing grave concern over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

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We express grave concern over the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

In their joint statement, the leaders also condemned support from third parties, specifically North Korea, that enables Russia to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine. They called for an immediate cessation of such activities by both Russia and North Korea.

The summit also addressed disruptions to commercial shipping caused by the war between the US and Iran. The leaders called for ensuring freedom of navigation and safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz, protecting civilian infrastructure, and respecting international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

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condemn support by third parties, in particular the DPRK, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine

Earlier on Wednesday, President Lee held a summit with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and met with King Philippe.

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ensuring freedom of navigation and safe transit passage in the Strait of Hormuz, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the need for all parties to fully respect international law, including international law of the sea as reflected in the UNCLOS