Kang Hoonshik: "1.3 Trillion Won Cheonmu Contract with Norway... Foothold for Entry into Northern Europe"

Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary (right), and Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway. Photo by Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary SNS

On January 31, Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President, announced that the Norwegian government had signed a contract to purchase the Korean-made multiple rocket launcher, Cheonmu. This marks the largest export deal to a Northern European country to date, following last year's contract with Poland worth 5.6 trillion won.

Currently visiting Norway as the Presidential Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation, Kang stated on his social media on this day, "Today, a final contract worth 1.3 trillion won was signed."

Previously, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense announced that it had selected Hanwha Aerospace as the final contractor for the next-generation Long-Range Precision Fire System (LRPFS) project, valued at 19 billion kroner (2.8 trillion won). Of this, 1.3 trillion won will be allocated for the purchase of the Cheonmu system, while the remaining budget will be used for the Norwegian military's force integration process and infrastructure development.

Kang said, "As soon as I was appointed as the Presidential Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation last October, I visited Poland, Romania, and Norway over a five-day, three-night schedule," adding, "I am truly grateful and deeply moved that the visit has led to a tangible outcome-a contract-in just about 100 days."

He continued, "Now, our defense industry has firmly established a foothold for expansion into Northern Europe, following its entry into Eastern Europe," and evaluated, "I expect this will soon lead to even greater achievements."

Kang also declared, "Having taken the first successful step toward the goal of becoming one of the 'four major K-Defense powers,' I will continue to move forward steadily, step by step," and pledged, "I will do my utmost to usher in an era of 20 billion dollars in defense exports and ensure that our defense industry becomes a new growth engine for the national economy."

Kang reported that he paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, delivered a personal letter from President Lee Jaemyung, and met with Marte Gerhardsen, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense, and Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, among others.

Earlier, Kang had visited Canada to support the bid for the 60 trillion won 'Canada Patrol Submarine Project' (CPSP). After completing his schedule in Norway, he is scheduled to return to Korea via Incheon International Airport later today.