Abstract: In meeting the prime concern of South Korea, the EU needs more engagement beyond “critical” engagement on the Korean peninsula to work towards peace and denuclearisation. While this can contribute to avoid a situation in which Seoul sees itself sucked into the Chinese orbit, it is also in the interest of the EU as security is indivisible and helps the EU to foster its standing as a global political player which is still measured in political and military terms in addition to economic weight. The EU-Korea Strategic Partnership, drawing on a solid legal framework, can contribute to the promotion of global governance (climate change, open trading system) based on multilateralism and rule of law.