Germany became the 18th member of the U.N. Command (UNC), marking the group’s first expansion in over a decade. German defense minister Boris Pistorius stated that European and Indo-Pacific security were linked during his visit to Seoul on Friday. South Korean defense minister Shin Won-sik welcomed Germany’s inclusion in the UNC, noting it would enhance cooperation in regional security and countering North Korean threats.

During bilateral talks, Seoul and Berlin agreed to bolster defense cooperation in cybersecurity and technological collaboration. They also expressed serious concerns over the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea. Both ministers committed to continuous communication on major security issues and sustained defense collaboration.