SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - South Korea and Poland on Monday agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" and pledged to expand cooperation in the defense industry and other areas.
"South Korea has global competitiveness across a range of industries, while Poland is strong in basic science and technology and has geographic advantages and a skilled workforce. If these strengths are combined in a mutually beneficial way, a new horizon for bilateral cooperation will open," Lee said during a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Monday.
Lee then said the two countries' defense ties have deepened enough to sign a massive deal worth US$44.2 billion in 2022. Citing South Korea's homegrown weapons such as K2 battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, Lee said they are helping protect Poland's territory and people.
But he said, "Defense cooperation between the two countries does not mean simple purchase deals of weapons," adding that the two leaders vowed to broaden cooperation beyond defense to include exchanges in various sectors including advanced industries, science and technology, space, energy, and infrastructure.
Economic and industrial cooperation is already expanding, with South Korean battery companies operating in Poland now pursuing entry into the energy storage system market as they diversify their businesses there.
The two sides also agreed to expand joint research, exchanges and government-level support in areas including hydrogen, nanomaterials and space, as well as major infrastructure projects such as a new airport link and the replacement of Warsaw's tram system.
Lee and Tusk also affirmed their resolve to work together for global peace and prosperity, addressing that security on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe is closely linked, and agreed to continue cooperation to cope with supply chain disruptions caused by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Monday's meeting marks the first visit by a Polish leader to South Korea in 27 years and Tusk's first trip to a non-European country since taking office in December 2023.
Lee said Tusk's visit is a "new milestone" in bilateral ties since South Korea and Poland established diplomatic relations in 1989.
After the summit, Lee and Tusk attended a luncheon that also included key business leaders from the defense sector, such as Lee Yong-bae, CEO of Hyundai Rotem; Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems; and Kim Jong-chul, CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries.
"South Korea has global competitiveness across a range of industries, while Poland is strong in basic science and technology and has geographic advantages and a skilled workforce. If these strengths are combined in a mutually beneficial way, a new horizon for bilateral cooperation will open," Lee said during a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Monday.
Lee then said the two countries' defense ties have deepened enough to sign a massive deal worth US$44.2 billion in 2022. Citing South Korea's homegrown weapons such as K2 battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, Lee said they are helping protect Poland's territory and people.
But he said, "Defense cooperation between the two countries does not mean simple purchase deals of weapons," adding that the two leaders vowed to broaden cooperation beyond defense to include exchanges in various sectors including advanced industries, science and technology, space, energy, and infrastructure.
Economic and industrial cooperation is already expanding, with South Korean battery companies operating in Poland now pursuing entry into the energy storage system market as they diversify their businesses there.
The two sides also agreed to expand joint research, exchanges and government-level support in areas including hydrogen, nanomaterials and space, as well as major infrastructure projects such as a new airport link and the replacement of Warsaw's tram system.
Lee and Tusk also affirmed their resolve to work together for global peace and prosperity, addressing that security on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe is closely linked, and agreed to continue cooperation to cope with supply chain disruptions caused by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Monday's meeting marks the first visit by a Polish leader to South Korea in 27 years and Tusk's first trip to a non-European country since taking office in December 2023.
Lee said Tusk's visit is a "new milestone" in bilateral ties since South Korea and Poland established diplomatic relations in 1989.
After the summit, Lee and Tusk attended a luncheon that also included key business leaders from the defense sector, such as Lee Yong-bae, CEO of Hyundai Rotem; Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems; and Kim Jong-chul, CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries.
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