Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister Lee Jong-sup held talks with Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak

Examined progress in the implementation of a contract for K2 tanks

Will continue to operate a ministerial council

Reaffirmed commitment to developing a future-oriented relationship

(P1) Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup (far right) discusses defense and defense industry cooperation with Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak in Warsaw, Poland (far left) on August 31.

The defense ministers of Korea and Poland reaffirmed their commitment to developing bilateral ties. In particular, they discussed how to implement further defense and defense industry cooperation and agreed to diversify the scope of cooperation into various sectors.

On September 1, the Defense Ministry announced that Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup met with his Polish counterpart, Minister Mariusz Blaszczak on August 31 (local time).”

The meeting of the two ministers came about three months after they met at the first Joint Korean-Polish Committee (JKPC) on Cooperation in the Fields of Defense and Defense Industry in Korea in June. They reaffirmed a solid bilateral relationship at the meeting.

The two ministers reviewed progress in the implementation of the first contract for K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 fighters, and considered ways to implement the second contract. They also discussed four sectors in fostering defense industry cooperation and how to develop cooperation in defense and defense industry into a future-oriented one.

Furthermore, they agreed to strengthen bilateral defense ties in various areas including the continued operation of the JKPC on Cooperation in the Fields of Defense and Defense Industry, a regular ministerial council, and exchange of training between Korean and Polish units operating the same weapon systems.

Before the meeting, Minister Lee visited and inspected preparations for the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) where Korea is participating as the lead nation, and encouraged related officials. MSPO will take place in Kielce, Poland from September 5 to 9.

By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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