Seoul: The recent display of unity among the North Korean, Russian, and Chinese leaders was merely a "show" that falls short of a military alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s military chief stated, citing their lack of interoperability.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO Military Committee, provided this assessment after the leaders of the three countries stood shoulder to shoulder at a major military parade in Beijing last week. This event sparked concerns that their ties could evolve into a tangible security threat. Cavo Dragone remarked, "It's not a military threat, because they don't have anything in common. They don't have standardization. They don't have interoperability. They don't have the same tactics," during an interview on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue.
The annual security forum, hosted by South Korea's defense ministry, began on Monday for a three-day run. Cavo Dragone emphasized that the three countries cannot fight together like NATO does after 75 years of training. He viewed the military parade, where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared together, as a demonstration against the U.S.-led West.
Cavo Dragone further described the parade as a well-prepared "window" showcasing China's message to the world. He highlighted that it is not an operational entity but rather a show of flags. Despite this, he acknowledged that the three countries might seek economic and diplomatic benefits from their ties, potentially including cooperation over a gas pipeline running through China and Russia.
The NATO military officer also underscored the growing security links between NATO and the Indo-Pacific, stressing the importance of interconnectivity in the current global security landscape. He called for joint and consistent efforts by the international community to respond to security threats such as North Korea's continued nuclear and missile development.
When asked about the feasibility of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Cavo Dragone responded skeptically. He suggested that increasing sanctions and isolation of North Korea could be effective, urging efforts to convince Russia and China that similar measures could impact them in the future.
Cavo Dragone stated that NATO aims to weave a "fabric of interconnectivity" that supports the alliance and its partners, such as the four Indo-Pacific partners of NATO, dubbed the IP4, to prevent conflict and preserve common values. He highlighted the potential for expanding cooperation with South Korea in emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and cyber areas.
In a NATO summit held in June, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed intent on strengthening arms industry cooperation with the IP4 member states. NATO and South Korea have also agreed to launch a working-level consultative body for such cooperation. Cavo Dragone did not rule out the possibility of future NATO drills involving South Korea, emphasizing that collaboration allows for greater progress.