Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul and Saudi Chief of Staff Fayyadh conduct the third Korea-Saudi Defense Cooperation Committee

- The third Korea-Saudi Defense Cooperation Committee was held to strengthen bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation
- A meeting was also held with Saudi Arabia's Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Khaled bin Hussein al-Biyari

On July 10 (local time), Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul held the third vice-ministerial meeting of the South Korea-Saudi Arabia Defense Cooperation Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Chief of the General Staff of Saudi Arabia, Lt. Gen. Fayyadh Bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili. During this meeting, Shin met with other senior Saudi officials, including the Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs, to explore ways to strengthen bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation.

The leaders from both countries discussed a range of defense and defense industry-related issues that were previously addressed at the ministerial meeting in March. They also exchanged broader opinions on the regional security situation.

Vice Minister Shin assessed that the bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation is being promoted seamlessly with the defense ministerial meeting held in March of this year and subsequent discussions. This has been possible due to the trust built during the meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in November of the previous year. In particular, Shin mentioned that both countries would further cooperate in areas such as the defense industry, education and training, and exchanges of high-ranking military personnel. He also called for Saudi Arabia's active support for the South Korean government's efforts for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, including its bold initiatives. He stated that North Korea's nuclear and missile threats pose a challenge to peace and security not only in Northeast Asia but also in the Indo-Pacific region and the world.

Meanwhile, on July 9, Vice Minister Shin met with Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Khaled bin Hussein al-Biyari. Shin expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia's active support during South Korea's operation to evacuate Koreans residing in Sudan in April. He also stressed that South Korea will cooperate in various ways, including sharing Korea's accumulated experience and achievements, for the successful implementation of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 defense sector.

Both countries agreed that the two high-level meetings have contributed to the development of bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation. They also concurred on further strengthening bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation in the future.