SEOUL: South Korea and Poland hailed their deepening defence partnership on Monday (Apr 13), because the European nation modernises its army following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Warsaw has emerged as a key purchaser of arms from Seoul, and the nations signed a weapons deal value over US$40 billion in 2022.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is in Seoul for the primary such go to in 27 years, and held a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday.
“Even amid a protracted interval of geopolitical instability, defence cooperation between our two nations has continued to deepen,” Lee stated in his opening remarks.
Seoul and Warsaw would additionally elevate ties to a “complete strategic partnership”, he stated.
The 2022 framework settlement lined Polish purchases of South Korean tanks, self-propelled howitzers and rocket launchers.
Lee stated a few of these weapons have been now “working proudly throughout Poland’s huge plains, serving to to safeguard the nation’s territory and shield its individuals”.
Poland, a member of the European Union and the NATO defence bloc, has stood firmly behind neighbouring Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
South Korea has additionally backed Kyiv, significantly since North Korea sent soldiers to fight for Russia.
Tusk described South Korea as “Poland’s second-most essential ally after america, significantly within the subject of the defence business”, in line with a Korean translation of his opening remarks.
The 2 leaders additionally agreed to increase cooperation in non-defence fields, together with vitality provide chains and infrastructure.
Tusk wraps up his go to on Monday and can then head to Tokyo.
