Gyeongnam Delegation Promotes 'K-Defense Hub Gyeongnam' in Eastern Europe

$2 Million Export and 48 Billion Won Investment Agreement
Plans to Integrate Gyeongnam-style All-care Welfare

The Gyeongnam delegation, led by Governor Park Wansu, has completed all of its business trip schedules in Eastern Europe.

From August 28 to September 5, the Gyeongnam delegation traveled throughout the Czech Republic and Poland for 7 nights and 9 days, signing intercity agreements and promoting Gyeongnam as the center of Korea's defense, nuclear power, and nano industries.

Gyeongnam Province Governor Park Wansu (left) is taking a commemorative photo with Jan Grolich, Governor of South Moravia, Czech Republic, after signing a friendship agreement, the highest level of international exchange. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

During this trip, the delegation elevated its relationship with South Moravia in the Czech Republic from the existing friendly exchange stage to the highest level of "sisterhood agreement" under Gyeongnam's public diplomacy and international exchange and cooperation ordinance.

The two regions agreed to further vitalize the local economy by exchanging human and material resources across various sectors, including local governments, the private sector, academia, and research institutions, in line with the Korean government's policy of strengthening Korea-Czech cooperation.

To support the export base of local companies, the delegation held a business exchange meeting in Brno, South Moravia, with six nano convergence companies from Gyeongnam and 20 companies from the Czech Republic participating.

At this event, local companies Carbonhive and DIABL signed a $1 million cooperation agreement with the Czech company Nanopharma, and Newlive signed a $1 million export agreement with the local company IBA.

Jung Younggeun, CEO of Young Aviation (from the left), Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, and Mattis Park Jonggu, Chairman, are taking a commemorative photo after signing an investment agreement. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

At the Poland International Defense Industry Exhibition, five companies including Matiss and overseas companies based in Poland, Turkiye, and Germany signed export agreements worth a total of $38 million.

Future mobility company Samsong, civil aircraft engine MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) specialist Young Aviation, and defense company Matiss also signed investment agreements to invest about 48 billion KRW in Gyeongnam and hire 65 new employees.

With Wuerth Group, a global automotive parts company operating in over 80 countries, a memorandum of understanding was signed to foster cooperation in future mobility and energy industries.

Gyeongnam Province Governor Park Wansu is talking with Andrzej Sebastian Duda, President of Poland (right), who visited the Korean Pavilion at the 2024 International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2024) held in Kielce, Poland. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

At the Poland International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO), the delegation accompanied Polish President Andrzej Duda, who visited the Korea Pavilion, to promote the excellence of K-defense and Gyeongnam as the center of Korea's defense industry.

The delegation also strengthened defense cooperation systems by communicating with countries from around the world attending one of Europe's three largest defense exhibitions.

In particular, Governor Park met with the presidents of PGZ Group, Poland's largest state-owned defense company, and WB Group, the largest private defense company, to directly promote Gyeongnam's defense industry so that local companies can participate in Poland's large-scale defense projects, such as the Orca Project for next-generation submarine construction.

The Gyeongnam delegation is visiting the Minsk Air Force Base in Poland and taking commemorative photos with the base personnel.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

The delegation also visited the Polish Air Force at Minsk Air Base, where the Korean-made FA-50 light fighter jet is actually operated.

Governor Park listened to the head of Minsk Air Base about the current status and role of the base, recognized the importance of follow-up logistics support such as building simulation facilities for ground support equipment, pilot and mechanic training, and pledged support for local defense companies.

They also visited the KAI office at the base to encourage technical support staff and pilots involved in FA-50 fighter jet parts assembly, maintenance, technical and logistics support, and training.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is touring the Frantiska Nursing Home, a dementia-specialized care facility in Brno City, South Moravia Region, Czech Republic, guided by Antonin Jizdny, the facility director. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

During this trip, the delegation also thoroughly examined local welfare facilities to realize the core values of welfare, companionship, and hope for the latter half of the 8th popularly elected administration.

At the Frantiska dementia care facility located in a residential area of Brno, Czech Republic, they explored ways to spend a happy old age with local residents through community communication. At the senior care home attached to the Prague Welfare Nursing Support Center, they considered welfare service measures that take caregivers into account, such as support for family caregivers, to incorporate into Gyeongnam-style all-care integrated welfare.

Governor Park said, "We will continue to build overseas networks and diplomatic channels for Gyeongnam's core industries of nuclear power and defense, and strive to support local companies' overseas expansion and attract investment from major companies. While maintaining steady growth in our core industries, we will also meticulously implement welfare policies to make Gyeongnam a happier place for its residents."

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