S. Korea, Norway defense chiefs discuss arms industry cooperation
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, right, shakes hands with his Norwegian counterpart, Tore O. Sandvik, outside Norway's defense ministry in Oslo, Friday. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense
The defense chiefs of South Korea and Norway held talks in Oslo on Friday and discussed strengthening security and arms industry cooperation, Seoul's defense ministry said.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Norwegian counterpart, Tore O. Sandvik, agreed to deepen cooperation in future warfare technologies, such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, and identify areas of cooperation through regular talks.
Ahn also asked for Norway's consideration of South Korea's Chunmoo rocket artillery system in its acquisition project for long-range precision weapon systems, while hailing Oslo's recent order of more K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea.
In September, South Korean defense company Hanwha Aerospace signed a deal to supply Norway with 24 additional K9s.
Sandvik expressed hope for mutually beneficial arms industry cooperation with South Korea and called attention to the deepening link between the security of Asia and Europe amid increasing global security uncertainties, according to the ministry.
He also voiced hope for expanded bilateral defense cooperation, noting Norway's strategic importance in the security of the Arctic.
Meanwhile, Ahn asked for Oslo's support for Seoul's North Korea policy for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.