Poland Emerges as Major Player in 'K-Defense', Conducts Joint Military Exercises with South Korea

Agreement at Korea-Poland Defense Ministers Meeting
Lee Jong-seop "Consensus Formed on Supporting Ukraine"

Poland, which has rapidly emerged as a major player in the so-called 'K-Defense Industry,' has agreed to conduct joint military exercises with South Korea. The Polish side announced plans to continuously adopt Korean weapon systems.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 24th, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop met with Mariusz Błaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Poland, on the 23rd (local time) to exchange views on the security situation in Europe and the Korean Peninsula and discuss defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries. In this meeting, taking into account that both countries operate weapon systems such as the K-2 tank and K-9 self-propelled howitzer, it was decided that soldiers from both countries will conduct joint military exercises through cross visits.

Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop (left) and Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak shake hands after a joint press briefing at the artillery firing range in Toru?, Poland, on the 23rd (local time).
[Photo by Ministry of National Defense]

In particular, Minister Błaszczak expressed plans to continue adopting Korean weapon systems in the future and emphasized the need for strategic and long-term cooperation between the two countries. In response, Minister Lee proposed creating a defense and defense industry cooperation model that benefits both countries, including Poland's defense technology development and South Korea's foothold in the European defense market.

Furthermore, the two ministers reached an agreement on cooperation measures not only in the defense industry but also in overall defense. First, they agreed to establish and operate a ministerial-level regular consultative body to systematically manage defense and defense industry cooperation. Additionally, South Korea will participate as a leading country in this year's Polish International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) to further develop defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries and promote the excellence of 'K-Defense Industry.'

After the meeting, the two ministers observed a test firing of the K-9 self-propelled howitzer conducted at the Toru? Artillery Range.

Minister Lee referred to the firing demonstration using the K-9 self-propelled howitzer and ammunition produced in Poland, emphasizing that "this shows the achievements developed by both countries since the agreement reached in May last year." He added, "Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak and I agreed through today's meeting to further develop the defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries in a future-oriented manner."

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop and Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak encouraged K-9 self-propelled howitzer operators at the Toru? Artillery Firing Range in Poland on the 23rd (local time).
[Photo by Ministry of National Defense]

After observing the test firing, the two ministers attended the signing ceremony of the 'Consortium Basic Agreement' for the second implementation contract of the K-2 tank and K-9 self-propelled howitzer between companies from both countries held in Warsaw. The Ministry of National Defense evaluated that this agreement provides an important opportunity to promptly proceed with follow-up contracts such as local joint production in Poland.

Meanwhile, in a media briefing broadcast locally after the meeting, Minister Lee stated, "South Korea and Poland have reached a consensus on supporting Ukraine." The specific details of the 'consensus' were not mentioned. Minister Lee emphasized, "Both countries, sharing universal human values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as the common goals of peace and prosperity, hope to cooperate closely based on trust."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.