Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Korea-ASEAN receives strength

Special summit provides an opportunity to sign an MOU 

Malay Prime Minister inspects Korean aircraft

King Brunei visits defense industry sites as well

A driving force in defense cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the ASEAN countries, the Korea-ASEAN Special Summit Meeting 2019 was held in Busan from November 25 to 26.

On November 26, a spokesperson for the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced: "This special summit meeting has paved the way to strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries, which are the core of the government's New Southern Policy, through defense industry field visits by heads of ASEAN countries' and national defense-related personnel who visited Korea and the signing of an MOU. The aim of our New Southern Policy is to raise the level of cooperation with ASEAN countries to that of our surrounding 4 countries, including the U.S.A., China, Japan, and Russia.

Director of DAPA Wang Jung-hong and Philippines' Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana signed 'Korea-Philippines Implementing Arrangement concerning the Procurement of certain Defense Materials' at Paradise Hotel, Busan, on November 26, and agreed to continue to work toward strengthening defense industry cooperation. Under the amended implementing arrangement, DATA expects to increase the number of Korean companies that can make Government to Government contracts, helping to contribute to defense industrial export promotion to the Philippines.

DAPA also signed 'Agreement on Information Exchange in the field of CBR' with the Singapore Defense Ministry on the same day. With this, the two countries have paved the way for joint investment in shared technology and experiences, as well as sharing of results. 

Meanwhile, Malay Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad visited Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, the day before for inspection of manufacturing facilities and Korean domestic aircraft. The director of DAPA Wang explained the excellence of our aircraft and asked for Malay's interest and support.

On the same day, King of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah visited the 5th Air Mobility Wing to have a field trip to the aircraft and an FA-50 boarding experience.

Director Wang said, "The Korea-ASEAN Special Summit Meeting served as momentum to take defense cooperation with ASEAN countries to the next level. Our defense companies will do much to revitalize the entry of Korean companies into the ASEAN countries."

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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