European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Republic of Korea President Lee Jae Myung met in Brussels on 10 June 2026 for the 11th EU-Republic of Korea summit, issuing a joint statement that reaffirms their commitment to a strategic partnership based on shared values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights.
The joint statement covers a broad range of cooperation areas, including trade, security, climate action, digital transformation, and global health. On trade, the leaders welcomed the full implementation of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement and committed to deepening economic ties, addressing supply chain resilience, and promoting fair competition. In security, they condemned North Korea's continued nuclear and missile programs and called for complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. They also agreed to enhance cooperation on cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and maritime security.
On climate and energy, both sides pledged to accelerate the green transition, with the EU highlighting its European Green Deal and Korea its Green New Deal. They committed to expanding cooperation on renewable energy, hydrogen, and carbon markets. In the digital domain, they agreed to work together on artificial intelligence governance, data protection, and 6G telecommunications, aiming to set global standards that reflect shared democratic values.
The summit also addressed global challenges, including support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, cooperation on pandemic preparedness, and joint efforts to reform multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.
No prior coverage of this summit exists in recent records, making this the first detailed account of the leaders' discussions and commitments. The joint statement serves as a roadmap for future EU-Korea relations, with implementation to be monitored through regular consultations at ministerial and working levels.
Stakeholder impact: European and Korean businesses stand to benefit from deepened trade ties and supply chain cooperation, though new regulatory alignment may impose compliance costs. Consumers may see more diverse and resilient supply chains for electronics, automobiles, and green technologies. Security cooperation strengthens deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, affecting regional stability. Environmental groups may welcome the climate commitments, but the lack of specific targets could draw criticism for insufficient ambition.