InterviewEU foreign affairs chief urges deeper Indo-Pacific alignment during Korea visit

David McAllister, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea in central Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea

David McAllister, chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, called for stronger cooperation among “like-minded countries,” highlighting South Korea as a key strategic partner as the European Union expands its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

During a recent interview with The Korea Times, McAllister said cooperation with partners sharing similar values lies at the core of the EU’s foreign policy, framing it as an effort to build a global network of countries committed to common principles.

“We are, as the European Union, knitting a network of like-minded countries and partners who believe in democracy who share our values,” he said, explaining that this type of approach is essential to maintaining the international order.

“We stand together to uphold the rules-based multilateral order. We stand for open markets; we defend the rule of law,” he said. “We will be are very much engaged in building stronger partnerships with like-minded countries.”

He emphasized the EU’s intention to further deepen relations with Korea.

“Korea is a strategic partner that upholds the rules-based multilateral order, open markets and the rule of law. So we don’t only share interests, we also share values,” he stressed.

In particular, he noted that the security and defense partnership between the EU and Korea marks “a new political level” in bilateral relations. At the same time, he underscored South Korea’s role in maintaining regional stability, calling it pivotal in addressing security challenges.

McAllister placed Korea-EU relations within the broader context of the Indo-Pacific region, where the EU is stepping up engagement.

“We consider the cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific fundamental for EU security,” he said, adding that the EU is evolving “from being a traditional economic partner into a proactive security and stability actor.”

David McAllister, chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, speaks during a meeting with Unification Minister Chung Dong-young at the Government Complex in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Unification

Addressing broader security concerns, McAllister linked developments on the Korean Peninsula directly to European security.

“Security in Europe and security in the Korean Peninsula are interconnected,” he said, pointing to North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine as “highly concerning.”

Citing the war in Ukraine as one of the EU’s primary security challenges, he warned that deepening cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow poses wider global risks.

“Today the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) provides military support to Russia in support of its war against Ukraine, and this is highly concerning for us. The European Parliament has condemned the signing and ratification of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and North Korea,” he said.

“We have also urged North Korea to withdraw its troops and end military cooperation with Russia, just as we have called on Russia to cease all forms of military and technological cooperation with North Korea and to abide by its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions,” he added, pointing out that “North Korea’s activities pose active threats to Europe, and to global peace and security.”

On economic and supply chain issues, McAllister stressed the importance of resilience and diversification, outlining plans for “a new dedicated supply chain security dialogue” to collectively respond to global disruptions.

He highlighted future areas of cooperation with Korea, including digital trade, artificial intelligence and climate change, while also noting the expansion of bilateral economic frameworks such as the EU-South Korea Framework Agreement, the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement and the EU-South Korea Crisis Management Framework Participation Agreement.

“We have concluded the negotiations for a landmark digital trade agreement, which has made our preferential trade relationship a better fit for the digital era. I would like to welcome Korea’s association to Horizon Europe as the first country from Asia, that represents a step change in our capacity for EU-Korea collaboration to promote solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges,” he said.

The Horizon Europe program, the EU’s flagship funding initiative for research and innovation, aims to tackle climate change, support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and strengthen the bloc’s competitiveness and growth.

Finally, McAllister underscored the importance of direct engagement with South Korea, describing the country not only as a strategic partner but also as a “steadfast friend” at a time when “the global order is shifting.”

“We want to demonstrate that the European Parliament across party lines truly appreciates Korea as one of our closest like-minded bilateral mutual partners,” he said.