Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
S. Korea, Poland condemn growing N. Korea-Russia military ties
President Yoon Suk Yeol stands next to Polish President Andrzej Duda during their joint press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
Two nations pledge to deepen cooperation in defense, energy industries
The presidents of South Korea and Poland strongly condemned the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which poses increasing security threats to the international community.
During their summit at the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol and Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to South Korea, criticized North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, as well as the North's concerning troop dispatch to Russia.
"We agreed that North Korea's dispatch of troops to Russia, which directly violates the U.N. Charter and U.N. Security Council resolutions, not only threatens security on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe, but is also a global provocation," Yoon said during a joint press conference after the summit.
"We once again reaffirmed that South Korea and Poland, as responsible members of the international community who share common values, will continue to stand firmly together to contribute to international peace and stability and uphold a rules-based order," the South Korean president added.
Yoon said South Korea will consider and implement necessary measures gradually, depending on how the situation surrounding North Korea's troop deployment to Russia develops. He specifically emphasized that South Korea may adopt a more flexible stance on its previous policy of not supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine if the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia intensifies and poses greater threats.
"If North Korea sends special forces to the war in Ukraine as a result of its cooperation with Russia, South Korea will examine necessary measures to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, while increasing support for Ukraine step by step. Additionally, while South Korea has adhered to the principle of not directly supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine, we might review that stance with greater flexibility depending on North Korean forces' future activities," Yoon said during the press briefing.
President Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with Polish President Andrzej Duda before their bilateral talks at the presidential office, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to expanding cooperation on support and reconstruction efforts for Ukraine.
Duda's state visit to Seoul began Tuesday and will continue until Friday. This marks the first state visit by a Polish president to South Korea since 2013.
The Polish leader's visit was a reciprocal trip following Yoon's state visit to Poland in July of last year. This summit represents the fourth discussion between Yoon and Duda since the South Korean leader took office in 2022.
During last year's summit, held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a strategic partnership established in 2013, the two leaders pledged to enhance their bilateral cooperation in defense, energy, and high technology, extending beyond economic ties.
Cooperation in defense, energy, technology
Another key pillar of their bilateral cooperation is defense, specifically in the trade of weapons and defense equipment.
"The two countries vowed to actively support the successful progress of defense cooperation, including a follow-up implementation contract for K2 tanks, which is currently under negotiation with the goal of finalizing it within the year," Yoon said during the press briefing.
The two leaders confirmed their commitment to ensuring the smooth implementation of the largest-ever arms export contract to Poland, signed in 2022, worth about $44.2 billion, which includes K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo rocket systems and FA-50 fighter aircraft.
The Polish president also said that as the top commander of the Polish armed forces, he is highly satisfied with the military and defense industry cooperation with South Korea.
"Currently, Poland is purchasing a large amount of high-quality South Korean weapons. One of the main reasons we decided to acquire Korean-made weapons is that, over the past 35 years, Poland has worked closely with South Korea and has become well-acquainted with the superior quality of its products. I have also spoken directly with Polish soldiers who are operating South Korean weapons like the K2 tanks, Chunmoo rocket systems, and K9 self-propelled howitzers. Their assessments reflect a very high regard for the quality of Korean-made weapons," Duda said during Thursday's press conference.
President Yoon Suk Yeol and Polish President Andrzej Duda review an honor guard during an official welcome ceremony for Duda's state visit to Korea at the lawn in front of the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
As part of efforts to deepen defense cooperation, Duda is scheduled to visit Korean defense companies — Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Aerospace — on Friday.
In early September, approximately 30 South Korean defense firms, including Hanwha, Hyundai Rotem, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), participated in this year’s installment of the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO), an annual military industry event held in Kielce, Poland.
The South Korean president also emphasized that both countries will establish a regular consultative body between their defense industry authorities to explore cooperation opportunities that can enhance mutual security and defense.
Furthermore, both countries agreed to continue efforts to strengthen cooperation in the areas of energy security and advanced industries, pledging to accelerate the transition to low-carbon and carbon-free energy sources, such as nuclear and renewable energy.
In the fields of transportation and infrastructure, they established favorable conditions for South Korean companies to engage in Poland's projects, including a high-speed rail initiative for the country's new airport.
South Korea is now the second-largest investor in Poland, and trade between the two countries hit a record high for six consecutive years.