South Korea-Europe Relations: From Distant Strangers to Close Partners

Relations between South Korea and Europe date back to the establishment of the former, when several Western European countries started to establish diplomatic relations and then provided military and other forms of support during the Korean War. Throughout the Cold War, however, relations between South Korea and Europe were dominated by trade and, once the South Korean economy started to develop, investment. Towards the end of the Cold War and in its early aftermath, Central and Eastern European countries also established diplomatic relations with South Korea—to a large extent to benefit from the country's economic development. Throughout the 1990s, the EU and a growing number of European countries also deepened diplomatic relations with South Korea while also launching incipient security relations. By the early 21st century, South Korea had developed holistic relations with the EU, NATO and several European countries. Today, the two sides can be considered close partners in multiple areas.