Korea's arms procurement chief to visit Europe to boost defense exports
Seok Jong-gun, minister of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration, will visit several European countries starting next week to promote South Korean defense exports amid rising demand for armament in the region.
According to the arms procurement agency on Friday, Seok will travel to Norway, Romania and Sweden from Tuesday through March 31.
In Norway, which has already imported K9 self-propelled howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace, Seok will hold high-level talks to discuss potential additional exports of the K9, as well as Cheonmu, a multiple rocket launcher system also produced by Hanwha Aerospace.
In Romania, discussions will center on securing deals for the Redback infantry fighting vehicle from Hanwha Defense and the K2 main battle tank from another South Korean defense manufacturer, Hyundai Rotem.
In Sweden, the focus will be on strengthening bilateral defense cooperation over the long term, particularly in areas of technology collaboration.
Seok's trip comes amid growing momentum in Europe to bolster self-reliant defense capabilities following the inauguration of a second Trump administration in the United States.
Earlier on Tuesday, the European Commission unveiled a white paper for the "ReArm Europe Plan — Readiness 2030," an ambitious defense package aimed at mobilizing 800 billion euros ($866.8 billion) by 2030 to reinforce military readiness across member states.
The scheme has signaled a preference for European-made products, yet South Korea sees potential as rising defense budgets across Europe could open the door to increased exports, given the competitive pricing and swift delivery of its defense systems.
Among European states, Poland, Romania and Estonia have previously imported K9 howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace, K2 tanks from Hyundai Rotem, and the FA-50 light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries.
'This trip was scheduled prior to the announcement of the EU's rearmament plan,' an official from DAPA said. 'Through high-level meetings, we aim to strengthen defense ties with European countries and support the export of South Korean weapons systems.'
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul also visited Poland in early March in a bid to support South Korea's bid to clinch an additional deal of exporting K-2 thanks to the country with the DAPA delegation.
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