Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister Shin Won Sik returned to Korea after visiting the two countries

He confirmed that the framework agreement with Poland signed in 2022 is valid

Export of K9 self-propelled howitzers to Romania was finally decided

This provided momentum to expand the K-defense industry in Europe

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik meets with Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the second Korea-Poland Joint Committee for Defense and Defense Industry Cooperation in Poland on June 20 (local time).

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik visited Poland and Romania from June 17 and returned on June 22 with remarkable results in defense and defense industry diplomacy. In Poland, the two countries agreed to cooperate closely to ensure that the second implementation contract for K9 self-propelled howitzers and K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers (MRLs), worth a total of USD 4.3 billion, comes into force before the end of the year. Romania decided to procure K9 self-propelled howitzers worth USD 920 million, which further extends the reach of the K-Defense industry.

The second Korea-Poland Joint Committee for Defense and Defense Industry Cooperation was a notable feature of this visit. Minister Shin met with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on June 20 and both sides confirmed that the framework agreement signed in 2022 remains fully valid.

The two ministers also agreed that consultations on the second implementation agreement will be completed in as little as two months’ time. They decided to accelerate consultations with a view to signing the agreement at the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) to be held in Poland in September, and to finalize the execution of the agreement by the end of the year at the latest.

The two countries also agreed to continuously expand mutually beneficial defense industry cooperation. Both sides agreed to cooperate closely on various weapon systems in which Poland has an interest other than those covered by the framework agreement.

Minister Shin emphasized that “Both countries are strategic partners and have made dramatic achievements, especially in the field of defense and the defense industry, and K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 fighter jets, which have already been delivered to the Polish military, will become key elements in Poland’s defense,” and added that it is positive proof of the solid bilateral relations between Korea and Poland.

In addition, the Polish side expressed interest in Korea’s border surveillance system due to the recent Belarus-Poland border crisis. As a result, Korea agreed to actively share with Poland its surveillance system based on science and technology.

Both countries pledged to develop their ongoing defense industry cooperation further into security cooperation.

They also decided to fulfill their role as a bulwark of peace and freedom in Asia and Europe on the basis of robust strength.

Minister Shin said: “So far, Korea and Poland have implemented cooperation ‘as quickly as possible,’ and after today's meeting with the deputy prime minister, we will go ‘farther’ and ‘longer.’”

The results of the visit to Romania were also remarkable.

During Minister Shin’s visit, Romania finally decided to purchase Korea’s K9 self-propelled howitzers worth USD 920 million. This is Romania’s largest arms purchase in the last seven years.

The Defense Ministry said that this achievement was driven by a bilateral summit meeting in April that created momentum for further expansion of the Korean defense industry in Europe after Poland.

During the meeting with Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr, the two sides also agreed to cooperate in a number of areas, including military training, sports and culture, exchange of information and experience, the defense industry and science and technology.

 By Ah-Mi, Cho <joajoa@dema.mil.kr>

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