SEOUL, July 7 (Reuters): South ​Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday he hoped his country would expand cooperation with NATO ​allies in research and development, ​including in cutting-edge technologies, and in ⁠production of weapons systems.

Lee was ​speaking at the NATO summit's Defence ​Industry Forum in the Turkish capital Ankara.
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Lee suggested upgrading his country's current defence cooperation ​with the military alliance to "South ​Korea-NATO defence industry partnership 2.0," saying it would ⁠involve not only arms exchanges but joint research, production and operation of weapons systems.

"If South Korea's ​stable capability ​of production ⁠and verified technologies partner with NATO's longtime know-hows, ​the defence capabilities of both ​sides ⁠will be significantly enhanced," Lee said, stressing the country is a ⁠reliable ​partner to the ​NATO members.