EU chief cites BTS, Blackpink in stressing cultural ties with South Korea at summit

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who held summit talks with President Lee Jae-myung, highlighted "culture" as she emphasized the partnership between South Korea and the EU.

Von der Leyen posted on her social media Wednesday that "the Korea-EU partnership is stronger than ever and will only grow stronger," adding that she was "grateful for the successful hosting of the 11th Korea-EU Summit."

She also shared video footage of remarks made public during the summit that day.

At the meeting, von der Leyen said "today, young Europeans are filling stadiums to see BTS and Blackpink perform," and that "millions of Koreans are watching their players compete for European football clubs."

"This mutual affection is also evident in our political and economic partnership," she said. "Korea is one of Europe's closest partners — not only in the Indo-Pacific region, but on the global stage."

She added, "I am firmly convinced that our best moments are yet to come."

Meanwhile, the summit also addressed the war in Russia and Ukraine, with both sides issuing a condemnation that included North Korea's battlefield involvement and human rights situation.

Von der Leyen said "North Korean soldiers are currently fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine," adding that the fact was a powerful reminder of the broader security stakes.

(From left) President Lee Jae-myung, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. [Reuters]

President Lee, von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa adopted a joint statement condemning "the support of third parties, particularly North Korea, that enables Russia to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine." The statement said the two sides "strongly condemn the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea" and urged Russia and North Korea to "immediately cease all relevant activities and comply with the UN Charter and all relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

The statement also expressed "serious concern over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs" and reaffirmed "commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions." It called on North Korea to "fully comply at an early date with its obligations as a non-nuclear-weapon state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, and to bring into force the Additional Protocol."

The leaders also said they "recognize that a substantial improvement in the human rights situation in North Korea is essential" and called on Pyongyang to allow access by international and humanitarian organizations.

韓-EU “러-북 불법적 군사협력 강력규탄” 정상회담 후 공동성명 채택

[헤럴드경제(브뤼셀)=서영상 기자] 주요7개국(G7) 정상회의 참석차 유럽을 방문 중인 이재명 대통령은 순방 이틀째인 10일(현지시간) EU 정상들을 만나 우크라이나를 침략

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