Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Polish president to visit Korea next month
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Polish President Andrzej Duda shake hands after their summit at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, July 13. Duda will visit Korea early next month. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Polish President Andrzej Duda will make a visit to Korea early next month, during which he may meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to ruling party sources Monday, Duda will arrive in the country during the Aug. 1-12 World Scout Jamboree on reclaimed land in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province. The northern Polish city of Gdansk is the next host of the quadrennial event for Scouts around the world.
It is still unclear whether the trip will include a presidential summit. But if so, it will be their second meeting in only a month after their first one on July 13 in Warsaw, during which they agreed to strengthen defense industry ties and support for Ukraine's reconstruction efforts among others.
As part of the follow-up measures, Duda could visit the production facilities for the weapons his country is seeking to procure and meet with representatives of Korean arms makers.
Last year, the two countries reached a deal worth more than $13 billion (16.6 trillion won), which included supplies of Korean tanks, rocket launchers and fighter planes to the European country. After the summit earlier this month, expectations remain high for other major deals this year.
Poland appears to seek long-term cooperation with Korean defense companies. Speaking to reporters after the summit, Duda expressed his intention to produce Korean weapons in his country, which has been on high security alert since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.