Poland highlights close ties with South Korea

By Jo Harper

WARSAW (AA) - Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Wednesday met with his South Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo and reiterated his need for a strong relationship between Warsaw and Seoul.

“Although our countries are far apart, they have more in common than it might,” Morawiecki said at the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki, eastern Poland.

In July, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also visited Poland.

“We have experiences of living in the shadow of a powerful neighbor. What Russia is doing in Ukraine today means that we share the same fears and hopes for the future,” Morawiecki went on to say.

“However, we share one side in defense of civilization and peace and that is what unites us. This means that we have more and more common economic and defense projects,” he added.

The bilateral talks were devoted primarily to Polish-Korean cooperation in the field of defense. The two politicians also witnessed the latest military equipment, including FA-50 aircraft, which Poland purchased from South Korea.

“Both countries share the view that the best defense shield is a strong economy because it also results in the ability to build a strong army," Morawiecki said.

“We want to benefit from the technology of those who now have it at the highest level,” he said.

The first K2 tanks and K9 gun howitzers arrived in Poland last year from South Korea, he said, adding in July this year, South Korea delivered the first FA-50 planes to Poland, and in August, the first Chunmoo launcher was delivered.

In 2024, Poland plans to allocate approximately 4.2% of its GDP to defense.

According to preliminary data, trade between Poland and Korea in 2022 was worth over $10 billion.