Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
INTERVIEW EU envoy warns of deepening Russia-N. Korea military ties
EU Ambassador to Korea Ugo Astuto speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the EU Delegation Office in Seoul, Dec. 2. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Kim Hyun-bin
Ambassador stresses stronger pressure on Moscow
The European Union is “deeply worried” about North Korea’s expanding military cooperation with Russia, calling it a destabilizing development that threatens the Korean Peninsula and undermines the global sanctions regime, the EU’s new ambassador to Korea said.
In an interview with The Korea Times, Ambassador Ugo Astuto said Pyongyang has become one of Moscow’s key allies as Russia’s war against Ukraine drags on, sending ammunition and even personnel in exchange for economic, military and technological assistance.
“We are very worried about the strengthened security nexus between Russia and North Korea,” Astuto said. “North Korea is one of the major external enablers of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Through the supply of ammunition and the dispatch of troops, North Korea is sure to receive not just economic aid but also military support.”
He warned that such cooperation could accelerate North Korea’s weapons development, noting that the regime is “likely to receive technology that may help its rearmament and possibly proliferation, in violation of U.N. resolutions.”
The EU, he said, is working closely with Korea and other partners to monitor these developments as North Korea continues to increase missile tests and deepen its strategic alignment with Russia. “This is indeed a very concerning trend,” he added.
Astuto said the EU has expanded its autonomous sanctions list to target actors supporting Russia’s war machine, including entities linked to the flow of North Korean ammunition. But he stressed that efforts to enforce international sanctions are being actively undermined by Moscow at the U.N. Security Council.
“Russia, despite being a member of the Security Council and therefore directly responsible for implementing the sanctions regime, is basically ignoring it,” he said.
One of the most damaging manifestations, he explained, was Russia’s refusal earlier this year to renew the mandate of the U.N. Panel of Experts, which for more than a decade had been responsible for monitoring and documenting North Korean sanctions violations.
“The panel was widely consulted and was a useful tool for tracking proliferation,” Astuto said. “Russia is not playing the role expected from a responsible member of the Security Council. It is playing a disruptive role — also on the peninsula.”
North Korean troops from the 1st Corps march in formation during a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Oct. 10. The image was broadcast by Korean Central Television (KCTV). Yonhap
Asked whether the international community is doing enough to pressure Pyongyang, the ambassador said any new momentum must begin with restoring Russian cooperation.
“We should start by putting pressure on Russia to have the sanctions regime back in place,” he said. “Without that, it becomes increasingly difficult to address North Korea’s continuous violations of Security Council resolutions.”
Astuto reaffirmed that human rights remain a central element of EU policy toward North Korea.
“The respect for human rights is part and parcel of the EU’s global outreach,” he said. “The EU is among the sponsors of the U.N. resolution condemning human rights violations in the DPRK, and we work in close sync with the Republic of Korea, which is also a cosponsor.”
Strengthen partnership in green transition and AI
While regional security remains a top priority, Astuto said his broader mission in Korea is to deepen cooperation across climate action, digital regulation and economic modernization — an agenda he described as essential for two advanced democracies navigating rapid global change.
“The European Union and Korea have a strategic partnership that has been progressively expanding,” he said. “It started with trade but now covers political, security and defense cooperation, as well as the green and digital transitions shaping our future economies.”
He emphasized that Europe and the Indo-Pacific are “closer than geography suggests,” pointing to Korea’s attendance at the recent Indo-Pacific Forum in Europe.
“We must work together on global challenges such as climate change, sustainable growth and connectivity,” he said. “Korea is a key partner, and the European Union’s ambition is to promote this partnership and bring it to an even higher level.”
Astuto said the EU and Korea stand out globally as the only two actors attempting comprehensive legislation on artificial intelligence, backed by democratic oversight.
“We want to foster innovation, but also protect essential values such as human rights,” he said. “That’s why we need a human-centric approach to AI.”
He expressed hope that the EU-Korea Digital Partnership, which marks its third anniversary this year, will evolve into a deeper platform for cooperation on semiconductor supply chains, quantum science and digital standards.
Stacks of shipping containers are seen at Sinseon Terminal at Busan Port, Dec. 1. Yonhap
FTA modernization and investment climate
More than a decade after the EU-Korea free trade agreement took effect, Astuto said the accord has “served both sides very well,” but acknowledged the need for updates to match shifts in industries such as automobiles, electronics and clean tech.
“As it was concluded in 2011, some aspects have inevitably aged,” he said. “We want to keep the FTA up to date and fit for present circumstances.”
He said Korea remains highly attractive for European investors, citing strong stock investment inflows and Korea’s dynamism in Fourth Industrial Revolution sectors. But he noted that both sides continue to discuss ways to reduce market barriers and improve transparency.
He also referenced the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea’s annual white paper, describing it as a practical guide for addressing regulatory challenges.
Cultural and youth exchanges: A “success story”
Astuto praised the increasing number of students traveling between Korea and Europe, calling people-to-people ties a “major success story.”
“European students increasingly come to Korean universities for science, engineering and culture,” he said. “And Korean students are among the most active participants in Erasmus.” Erasmus is the European Union’s flagship international education, academic exchange and mobility program.
He said the EU will continue supporting cultural initiatives, including the European Film Festival and programs promoting European languages and arts in Korea.