Korea, Poland in talks on arms deals amid worries about possible cancellation: Seoul official

From left, Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo and his Polish host, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki talk prior to a press conference following talks on regional security and and the examination of the FA-50 fighter jets that Poland recently bought from Korea, along with other military equipment, at an air base in Minsk Mazowiecki, eastern Poland, Wednesday, Sept. 13. AP-Yonhap

Korea is in talks with Poland to ensure the multiple arms contracts signed between Korean companies and the Polish government will be carried out as agreed despite the change of the leadership in Warsaw, a Seoul official said Tuesday.

Concerns are growing as the new Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, signaled a revision to some of the arms contracts inked under the preceding government, citing overspending of the budget.

Korean defense firms have clinched about $13-14 billion worth of arms sales contracts with Poland this year, which include plans for deliveries of rocket launchers, fighter jets, tanks and self-propelled howitzers.

"We are continuing consultations with the Polish government through diplomatic channels to make sure that what was agreed between the two countries will continue to be implemented regardless of the change of the government," a foreign ministry official said.

"We have not heard of anything related to the defense contracts with Poland that has made any impact or influence," the official said.

On Sunday (local time), a Polish foreign ministry spokesperson said the "scope of some of the contracts may need to be reviewed to answer to current security needs," in response to a question from the Voice of America (VOA) about the issue, the VOA reported.

Last year, the value of exports contracts with Warsaw reached $17.3 billion, accounting for 72 percent of the entire arms exports in the Korean defense industry. (Yonhap)