< Maciej Studziejewski, Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service, and Yoon Jong-kwon, Director-General for International Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea >
South Korea and the European Union (EU) have recently resumed their bilateral Cyber Policy Consultation, holding the 7th session in Seoul after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting marked a renewed commitment by both sides to bolster strategic cooperation as cybersecurity emerges as a critical pillar of international security.
The consultations were led by Yoon Jong-kwon, Director-General for International Security Affairs at South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Maciej Studziejewski, Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service (EEAS). Key stakeholders from both sides participated, including Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NCSC), Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, National Police Agency, Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), as well as representatives from the European Commission.
The two sides exchanged views on:
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Cybersecurity policy trends and response frameworks,
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The need for real-time information sharing and cross-border law enforcement cooperation in response to transnational cybercrime,
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Analysis of evolving cyber threats, including North Korea’s cryptocurrency theft operations, and tailored responses to specific threat actors.
They also reaffirmed the importance of international frameworks such as the Budapest Convention and UN Cybercrime Treaty negotiations as essential tools for enabling legal and technical cooperation.
Additionally, both sides discussed multilateral initiatives such as the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) and the Pall Mall Process for tackling commercial spyware. Regional security platforms like NATO, the OSCE, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) were also identified as important venues for ongoing cyber policy coordination.
Recognizing the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, the parties agreed on the importance of strengthening regional cyber capabilities. They shared updates on existing capacity-building programs and explored ways to expand cooperation in this area.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated, “Cyberspace is no longer merely a technical issue—it has become a core concern of international security. This renewed dialogue between Korea and the EU lays the foundation for a more comprehensive and institutionalized cyber partnership.”
