Saudi may hold the key to Seoul’s arms ambitions

Legitimate player: A file picture showing the meeting between Yoon and Prince Mohammed last month. The two leaders are at the stage of sealing contracts, says a South Korean official. — Reuters

A likely weapons deal between Riyadh and Seoul could help South Korea realise its ambition to be a major player in the global defence market.

The importance of such an agreement cannot be understated: Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-largest importer of major arms, and is shopping around just as the Asian supplier is looking to sell more-advanced weaponry.