NATO seeks stronger ties with South Korea

In spite of intensifying conflict over North Korea’s nuclear programme, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday called for greater cooperation between the military alliance and South Korea.

According to South Korean News Agency Yonhap, Stoltenberg said NATO’s partnership with South Korea is one of the longest-standing outside of Europe at a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Wha in Seoul.

“With tension and challenges related to North Korea and many other issues, it’s important we are able to strengthen and develop our partnerships,’’ said Stoltenberg during his three-day visit to South Korea.

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As he did during a visit to Japan earlier in the week, Stoltenberg urged “global responses’’ to the danger posed by the North Korean nuclear and missile programme as well as other global threats.

“Its a big challenge for the Republic of Korea being so close. But its also a challenge for the rest of the world because North Korea is now developing more longer-range missiles able to reach both North America and Europe,’’ the Norwegian politician said.

Kang said South Korea relied on the support of the international community in the face of “provocations’’ from North Korea, the media reports said.

Tensions in the region have intensified in recent months after fresh missile tests and a nuclear test by North Korea.

Like Japan, South Korea is strengthening its missile defence system through its alliance with the U.S.