Hanwha vice chairman meets Romanian PM over defense cooperation

Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan speaks during the christening ceremony for the National Security Multi Mission Vessel NSMV State of Maine at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, U.S., Aug. 26 (local time). Yonhap

The vice chief of Hanwha Group, Korea's chemicals-to-shipbuilding conglomerate, has met with the Romanian prime minister to discuss potential cooperation with the Eastern European country in the defense industry, according to the group Wednesday.

Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, who accompanied Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff of Korean President Lee Jae Myung, met with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan in the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Tuesday, a group official said.

"The vice chairman's visit aims to help Korea expand major defense exports to Europe and promote national interests," the official said.

During the visit, Kang delivered a letter from Lee to Bolojan as part of his mission as a special envoy to strengthen bilateral defense industry partnerships and boost Korea's arms exports.

Hanwha's Kim reportedly took part in discussions related to Romania's 4.9 trillion-won ($3.5 billion) project to acquire new infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to replace aging Soviet-era armored vehicles.

Hanwha is expected to compete in the bidding process with Germany's Rheinmetall AG, Britain's BAE Systems and the U.S. firm General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS).

Korea and Romania have recently strengthened defense cooperation, following Hanwha Aerospace's 1.4 trillion-won contract with Romania in 2023 to supply K9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 ammunition resupply vehicles.