Defense chiefs of S. Korea, France discuss security, arms cooperation | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Lee Minji SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- The defense chiefs of South Korea and France held talks in Seoul on Friday to discuss the regional security situation and ways to strengthen their bilateral defense and arms industry cooperation, the South's defense ministry said. The talks between Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, took place on the occasion of summit talks between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron in Seoul. Korea, France vow closer cooperation in AI, quantum computing Keywords #defense talks #France Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S. Korea, France discuss security, arms cooperation Next Defense chiefs of S.

## Article Content
Facebook
X
More
Pinterest
Linked in
Tumblr
Reddit
Facebook Messenger
Copy URL
URL is copied.
OK
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- The defense chiefs of South Korea and France held talks in Seoul on Friday to discuss the regional security situation and ways to strengthen their bilateral defense and arms industry cooperation, the South's defense ministry said.
The talks between Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, took place on the occasion of summit talks between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron in Seoul.
In the defense ministerial talks, Ahn noted that the two countries mark the 140th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties, and thanked France for contributing to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, according to the ministry.
Both sides concurred that uncertainties are increasing in the international security environment amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, and a prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine, and agreed to bolster strategic communication and coordination for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific.
Ahn stressed that North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities, and illegal military cooperation with Russia is a grave challenge not only to the Korean Peninsula but the international community, and requested France's continued interest and support for Seoul's efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and establish permanent peace.
Meanwhile, the defense chiefs assessed that their cooperation in military training and in the area of space has expanded, and agreed to advance such cooperation in other security areas.
They also concurred that France and South Korea are arms industry partners, each equipped in global competitiveness, and called for expanding their cooperation in the sector in a complementary manner, the ministry said.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (R) and France's Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin shake hands during their meeting in Seoul on April 3, 2026, in this photo provided by Ahn's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
Related Articles
S. Korean, French ministers discuss deepening cultural cooperation
S. Korean, French businesses vow ties in bio, carbon-free, technology sectors
(4th LD) S. Korea, France agree to cooperate on safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
S. Korea, France sign MOU on support for Korean War veterans
S. Korea, France vow closer cooperation in AI, quantum computing
Keywords
#defense talks
#France
Articles with issue keywords
Most Liked
Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel
Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me'
(LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang'
Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold
(URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim'
Most Saved
Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel
Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me'
Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold
(LEAD) S. Korea co-sponsors U.N. resolution on N.K. human rights
(LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
Most Viewed
All Categories
(LEAD) Lee hosts dinner for France's Macron ahead of summit
(LEAD) Lee, Macron hold summit to discuss bilateral cooperation
(3rd LD) Lee says S. Korea, France agree to cooperate on safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
Mark leaves SM Entertainment after 10 years with NCT
BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP
Most Viewed More
Most Viewed Photos
New school year begins in N. Korea
New school year begins in N. Korea
N.K. leader inspects service facilities at new housing area
New school year begins in N. Korea
prev
Defense chiefs of S. Korea, France discuss security, arms cooperation
Next
Defense chiefs of S. Korea, France discuss security, arms cooperation

---

## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Ahn stressed that North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities, and illegal military cooperation with Russia is a grave challenge not only to the Korean Peninsula but the international community, and requested France's continued interest and support for Seoul's efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and establish permanent peace.
- Korea, France vow closer cooperation in AI, quantum computing Keywords #defense talks #France Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- Korea, France vow closer cooperation in AI, quantum computing Keywords #defense talks #France Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.
- Korea co-sponsors U.N. resolution on N.K. human rights (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee hosts dinner for France's Macron ahead of summit (LEAD) Lee, Macron hold summit to discuss bilateral cooperation (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, france, defense topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 628.