▲ National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (R) speaks with the European Union's Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic in Seoul on April 17, 2026, in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

security adviser-EU

Nat'l security adviser, EU official discuss economic security cooperation amid Mideast crisis

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac held talks with the European Union (EU)'s top trade negotiator Friday to discuss strengthening economic security cooperation amid energy market uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict, Cheong Wa Dae said.

Wi and Maros Sefcovic, the EU's commissioner for trade and economic security, shared their respective efforts to address the energy supply disruptions and price fluctuations and agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation for economic security, it said in a release.

They agreed that "like-minded and mutually trusted partners," such as South Korea and the EU, should work closely together and coordinate their responses, and emphasized the need for an interagency consultative channel on economic security between the two sides, it noted.

"The government will continue to strengthen economic security cooperation with the EU across a range of areas, including critical minerals and supply chains, in response to the Middle East situation and broader global uncertainties amid supply chain and resource security risks," Cheong Wa Dae said.

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