President Lee Jae-myung and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed to upgrade ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with the leaders placing defence cooperation at the centre of the relationship.
In remarks made before talks between the leaders at the presidential Blue House yesterday, Lee said the countries would further expand defence industry cooperation under a US$44.2bil (RM175.3bil) framework pact signed in 2022.
“K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light-attack aircraft, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers – bearing South Korea’s technology and pride – are now safeguarding Poland’s territory and its people across its vast lands,” Lee said.
He said the partnership extended beyond arms sales to include joint production, technology transfers and training.
Tusk described South Korea as Poland’s “most important ally after the United States, especially in the defence industry” and said he would personally oversee expanded defence cooperation between the countries.
He said the upgraded partnership meant the two countries would take on a shared responsibility and should play a role in contributing to global peace.
The two leaders also affirmed expanded cooperation across a wide range of fields, including energy supply chains, infrastructure, science and technology, advanced industries, space and people-to-people exchanges.
South Korea has become one of Poland’s leading arms suppliers in recent years as Warsaw moves to rapidly modernise its military capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In 2022, South Korea and Poland signed a defence framework agreement for South Korean companies to supply Poland with arms as well as jointly produce military equipment on Polish soil. — Reuters
