South Korea and NATO

Being a NATO partner state sure has its advantages - when you're selling military hardware

South Korea's engagement with NATO is routinely interpreted through the lens of strategic alliances and security interests. Near every mainstream commentator will spruik the line that South Korea’s links with NATO (1) increase democratic solidarity in the face of authoritarian collusion; (2) increase the likelihood that European states would support South Korea in a North Korea contingency; and (3) strengthen the liberal-democratic order and rule of law.

Commentators see what they want to see. South Korea's interaction with NATO is not about strategy. It’s about the arms industry and exports.

South Korea has emerged as a significant player in the global arms market. Once primarily a buyer of defense technology, the country is now one of the world's top arms exporters, capitalizing on its advanced manufacturing capabilities and robust technological innovation. South Korean defense companies like Hyundai Rotem, Hanwha Defense, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have developed highly com…