Chief of Staff Kang departs as Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation
To Germany and Poland for $56.2 billion in defense contracts
Delivering President Lee Jaemyung's letter and promoting Korean defense exports
"My goal for this visit is to do my utmost to increase overseas orders"
On October 19, Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, is departing for Frankfurt, Germany, in his capacity as Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation. Kang plans to visit major European defense industry partners, deliver a personal letter from President Lee Jaemyung, and directly encourage overseas orders for South Korean defense companies.
Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President appointed as Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation, is making a statement at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 on the 19th before departing for Frankfurt, Germany. Photo by Yonhap News
According to the Presidential Office, Kang will board a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt, Germany, departing at 12:25 p.m. on the same day. Before leaving, Kang met with reporters at Incheon International Airport and emphasized, "The defense industry has an enormous and far-reaching impact. When a large corporation secures a contract for a single warship, it can create jobs for more than 300 primary partner companies."
He added, "Since most of these companies are located outside the capital region, our government considers this issue highly important and will continue to pursue it actively."
Kang is scheduled to visit key defense industry partners such as Germany and Poland. Ongoing defense exports to these countries currently total 56.2 billion dollars (approximately 79 trillion won). Previously, Kang Yoo-jung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, explained, "We expedited this visit because major decisions are imminent regarding the selection of contractors for large-scale defense procurement projects being pursued between our country and the destination countries."
Kang Hoon-sik: "My goal is to do my utmost to increase overseas orders"
Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, and Kwak Tae-shin, Defense Secretary of the Presidential Office, along with the Strategic Economic Cooperation Special Envoy Group, are departing for Frankfurt, Germany through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Kang stated, "South Korea aims to become one of the world's top four defense powers, and we will make every possible effort to achieve this. While it may be difficult to secure every project currently underway, my goal for this visit is to do my utmost to increase the volume of overseas orders."
He continued, "Our internal conclusion is that mega-scale defense projects cannot be accomplished by the Ministry of National Defense alone. Cooperation is required across many areas, including financial support, industrial partnerships, and collaboration with defense startups."
Kang also noted, "President Lee has said that if even a small effort is needed to contribute to national wealth creation, it is our duty to make that effort. For the sake of future growth, I will do my part to help increase the nation's wealth in any way I can."
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