Polish and South Korean Defence Ministers Emphasise the Strategic Dimension of Bilateral Cooperation

On June 21, 2024, the Pulaski Foundation organised a High-level Strategic Dialogue between the Polish and South Korean ministries of defence. The talks were attended by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda, Head of the Armament Agency Brig. Gen. Artur Kuptel, as well as other representatives of the Polish Ministry of National Defence, as well as National Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees. The South Korea delegation to Poland was led by South Korea’s Minister of National Defence Shin Won-sik, Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration Seok Jong-gun, and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sung Il. The event was also attended by representatives of the PGZ (Polish Armaments Group) and the leading South Korean defence companies: Hyundai Rotem, Hanwha Aerospace, and Korea Aerospace Industries.

During the Strategic Dialogue, representatives of Poland and South Korea underlined the vital importance of the talks and agreed that Warsaw and Seoul have laid firm foundations for political and industrial cooperation, as well as genuine friendship between the two nations. The talks focused on the Polish military procurement programs including K2 main battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, K239 rocket artillery systems, and the FA-50 light combat aircraft. The Polish side stressed that Poland is planning to launch domestic production of K2PLs and will continue cooperation with Seoul in other domains to allow the Polish defence industry to become a service hub for the South Korean weapon systems operated in Europe. South Korea is also an excellent partner for Poland regarding the application of new technologies in the protection and defence of the country’s external borders.

The South Korean delegation highlighted the common historical experience of the two nations, which successfully struggled for their independence. Seoul intends to be Warsaw’s strategic partner, assisting Poland in modernising its defence industry and becoming the leading military power in Central Europe. This could be achieved through South Korea’s experience in establishing and then transforming its defence industry into a highly advanced and sophisticated sector of the economy. Poland and South Korea are currently exploring other areas of cooperation, including potential exports of the most advanced, battle-tested weapon systems manufactured by the Polish defence industry, such as RAK self-propelled mortars, BORSUK infantry fighting vehicles, BAOBAB-K mine-laying systems, FlyEye and Gladius unmanned aerial systems, and radar systems.

The Poland-South Korea Strategic Dialogue was organised as part of the Road to Warsaw Security Forum initiative.