What did Cho Jeong-sik and Greek President Constantine Tassoulas discuss?

They discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in defense and shipbuilding. Cho said the participation of Korean companies could contribute to strengthening Greece’s defense as security threats intensify in Europe.

Why did Cho Jeong-sik highlight Greece’s role in the Korean War?

Cho highlighted the two countries’ “blood-forged” ties because Greece dispatched about 10,000 troops to Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, even though it had not established diplomatic relations with Seoul at the time.

How does South Korea and Greece cooperation aim to expand beyond shipbuilding?

Cho said cooperation should extend from shipbuilding and shipping into advanced technologies and defense. He separately told Greek parliamentary leader Nikitas Kaklamanis that the two countries should develop collaboration in those areas.

Assembly speaker discusses defense, shipbuilding cooperation with Greek president

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Summary

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik met Greek President Constantine Tassoulas in Athens on Monday to discuss defense and shipbuilding cooperation. Cho said Korean companies could help strengthen Greece’s defense amid intensifying security threats in Europe. He also urged expanding cooperation into advanced technologies and future industries. Cho is visiting Italy, Vatican City, Croatia and Greece on his first overseas trip since taking office in June.

Key Facts

Greece dispatched about 10,000 troops to Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War despite lacking diplomatic relations with Seoul at the time.
Cho told Greek parliamentary leader Nikitas Kaklamanis that bilateral cooperation should expand beyond shipbuilding and shipping into advanced technologies and defense.
Cho’s four-nation European trip includes meetings in Italy, Vatican City, Croatia and Greece.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 13, 2026 11:04 am KST

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik, left, shakes hands with Greek President Constantine Tassoulas during their talks in Athens, Monday. Courtesy of Cho's office

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik has met with Greek President Constantine Tassoulas and the Greek parliamentary leader to discuss bilateral cooperation in defense and shipbuilding, his office said Tuesday.

During his meeting with Tassoulas in Athens on Monday (local time), Cho expressed hope that the participation of Korean companies could contribute to strengthening Greece's defense amid intensifying security threats in Europe.

Cho highlighted the two countries' "blood-forged" ties during the 1950-53 Korean War, pointing out that Greece dispatched some 10,000 troops to Korea despite not having established diplomatic relations with Seoul at the time.

"We look forward to further deepening cooperation in the shipbuilding and shipping sectors and expanding it into future industries, including defense," Cho was quoted as telling the Greek president.

In a separate meeting with his parliamentary counterpart, Nikitas Kaklamanis, Cho said the two countries should expand bilateral cooperation beyond shipbuilding and shipping into areas of advanced technologies and defense.

Cho is on a four-nation trip to Italy, Vatican City, Croatia and Greece, in his first overseas trip since taking office in June.

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