Summer School 2026 <Contemporary Europe> Session 14 > Summer School at KU

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On July 16, the final special session of the summer course, , was held. Professor Jae-Seung Lee examined the changing dynamics of transatlantic relations, focusing on NATO, European security, and the evolving relationship between Europe and the United States. Students explored the principles of collective defense under NATO, the role of Article 5, and the complementary functions of NATO and the European Union in addressing contemporary security challenges. The lecture highlighted how Europe has increasingly sought to strengthen its own defense capabilities while maintaining the transatlantic alliance.

The session also analyzed the impact of recent developments in U.S. foreign policy on transatlantic relations, including shifts during the Trump and Biden administrations, debates over burden-sharing within NATO, and Europe’s pursuit of greater strategic autonomy. Students examined key events that shaped the alliance, such as the 2025 NATO Summit, the war in Ukraine, and the growing emphasis on higher defense spending, industrial resilience, and collective security in response to an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.

Finally, participants discussed the implications of these developments for South Korea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The lecture highlighted Korea’s expanding role as a strategic defense partner for Europe, particularly through defense exports, industrial cooperation, and support for NATO’s rearmament efforts. Through these discussions, students gained a deeper understanding of the evolving transatlantic security architecture and the growing interdependence between European and Indo-Pacific security in an era of geopolitical competition.