This Year’s Defense Export Contracts Reach $15.2 Billion
Over 90% Achieved Under the Lee Jaemyung Administration
"K-Defense’s Entry Into the World’s Top Four Accelerates"
Poland Recognized as the "Catalyst for K-Defense’s Rise"
Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik announced that, as a 'Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation,' he visited Poland and signed a contract to export the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, valued at 3.9 billion dollars (approximately 5.6 trillion won). Kang emphasized that returning after signing the contract during this visit was a "tangible achievement."
At around 4:50 p.m. on December 30, Chief Secretary Kang met with reporters at Incheon International Airport and said, "I visited Poland as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation and trade," adding, "Yesterday (the 29th), in Warsaw, Poland, a contract was signed for the Chunmoo guided missile system, worth 3.9 billion dollars, or 5.6 trillion won." He further explained the reason for not disclosing the contract in advance, stating, "The Polish side regarded this contract as a very important milestone for both their national security strategy and the development of their defense industry, and they specifically requested that strict confidentiality be maintained until the contract was finalized."
As a result of this contract, Kang explained that South Korea's cumulative defense export contracts for this year have reached 15.2 billion dollars, with 14.2 billion dollars of that total-over 90 percent-being signed since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration. Kang stated, "Following the approximately 6.5 billion dollar K2 tank contract in August, the total value of defense cooperation contracts with Poland under this administration has now surpassed 10 billion dollars, or nearly 15 trillion won," emphasizing, "The national policy goal of making South Korea one of the world's top four defense exporters is no longer just a slogan but is now being realized in earnest."
Kang also described Poland as the country that provided the catalyst for the rise of 'K-Defense.' He said, "It was none other than Poland that created the opportunity for our defense industry, which had previously focused on the domestic market or entered a few countries on a small scale, to attract attention on the global stage," adding, "Since 2022, Poland has consistently imported K-Defense products-including K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 fighter jets-totaling more than 30 trillion won." He further noted, "With the Polish government publicly praising the performance and reliability of K-Defense, large-scale expansion into neighboring European countries and, more recently, into Central and South America has become possible."
Kang stated that the government will continue to build long-term and systematic cooperative relationships with major countries. He said, "Not only the government but also businesses and workers are working together, and I am pleased to report to the public the recent contracts with Peru, Estonia, and now Poland," adding, "Going forward, we will firmly establish South Korea as the optimal partner in strategic economic cooperation, including defense."
Meanwhile, when asked about follow-up export plans such as the 'Canadian submarine,' Kang said, "Several countries-including Saudi Arabia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-are in preparation, but it is difficult to provide details at this time," adding, "As soon as the plans are finalized, we will report to the public just as we did today."
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