Lee: "A New Horizon Will Open"... Korea and Poland Upgrade to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership After 13 Years

President Lee Jae-myung held a summit with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on April 13 and agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" for the first time in 13 years.

During the expanded Korea-Poland summit meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on the same day, President Lee stated, "I am very pleased that, on the occasion of Prime Minister Tusk's visit to Korea, we have agreed to upgrade our bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership."

President Lee Jae-myung and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk shake hands on April 13 at Cheong Wa Dae before the expanded summit meeting. 2026.4.13 Yonhap News Agency

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President Lee remarked, "Korea is a nation with world-class competitiveness in various industrial sectors, and Poland is also a powerhouse with geographical advantages, an excellent workforce, and outstanding basic science and technology capabilities. I am confident that if the strengths of our two countries create synergy in a mutually beneficial way, a new horizon of cooperation will open for both of us."

He also mentioned, "It would be good to discuss ways to strengthen cultural and educational cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges so that the bonds and friendship between our peoples can deepen further."

President Lee especially emphasized defense industry cooperation between Korea and Poland. He stated, "Despite ongoing geopolitical crises, our bilateral defense cooperation continues to deepen, as evidenced by a comprehensive contract worth 44.2 billion dollars signed in 2022," noting the export of K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA50 light combat aircraft, and Cheonmu to Poland.

He went on to say, "Defense cooperation between our two countries is not limited to simple arms sales. Through mutually beneficial partnerships such as joint production, technology transfer, and training in Poland, the cooperation has contributed significantly to the development of Poland's defense industry ecosystem."

Additionally, President Lee noted, "Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1989, Korea and Poland have continued to develop friendly and cooperative relations in various fields," and evaluated that "for Korea, Poland is an important trading partner and ranks fifth among European Union (EU) countries."

President Lee also mentioned Lech Wał?sa, the founder of Poland's Solidarity movement and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He said, "When Korea was fighting for democratization in the 1980s, Poland's Solidarity and Lech Wał?sa were like a beacon of hope. I hope that, through the power of democracy, both Poland and Korea will achieve even greater progress."

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