Polish President Andrzej Duda has expressed his hope to accelerate the K2 tank supply deal with South Korea, aiming to strengthen the defense partnership between the two nations.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, Duda told Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul that he wishes to swiftly complete the delayed second contract for the K2 tanks, underscoring the importance of mutually beneficial defense cooperation, including local production in Poland.
The K2 tank, manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, stands as a key component of Korea’s ground force weaponry.
In July 2022, Korea signed a $44.2 billion arms export agreement with Poland, which included 1,000 K2 tanks. Among them, 180 were to be supplied under the first contract that year.
Though the second contract, covering the remaining 820 tanks, was initially expected to be finalized by the end of last year, it has been delayed due to political turmoil sparked by Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration.
Cho emphasized to President Duda that South Korea is the optimal partner for strengthening Poland’s defense capabilities and expressed hope for continuously reinforcing defense cooperation.
The foreign minister also expressed his anticipation for advancing strategic cooperation between South Korea and the EU, particularly in the security and defense sectors, through collaboration with Poland, which holds the EU presidency in the first half of this year.
Cho visited Poland for two days upon invitation from Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, marking the first official visit by a Korean foreign minister to Poland in 18 years.
Cho flew to France on Friday to meet with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The Korean Minister’s trip to Europe could serve as an opportunity to expand partnerships with European countries seeking defense solutions in response to US President Donald Trump's America First policy, sources said.
Following his meeting with Cho, Polish President Duda praised Korean weaponry at a NATO press conference on the same day, stating, “Poland had purchased a large number of Korean weapons since the start of the Ukraine war. … The reason is simple. South Korean manufacturers supply wonderful modern weapons within just a few months.”
Duda mentioned the K2 tanks, Hanwha Aerospace’s K9 self-propelled howitzers, and the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system.
hyejin2@heraldcorp.com
