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Poland and South Korea agreed on Monday to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with defence cooperation at the centre of the upgraded ties.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk held a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Seoul, marking the first visit by a Polish prime minister to the country in 27 years.
The two leaders discussed a range of issues, with the main focus on expanding defence industry cooperation under a $44.2 billion (€39.6 billion) framework agreement signed in July 2022.
Lee said the partnership extended beyond arms sales to include joint production, technology transfers and training.
“K2 tanks, K9 self‑propelled howitzers, FA‑50 light-attack aircraft, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers — bearing South Korea’s technology and pride — are now safeguarding Poland’s territory and its people across its vast lands,” he said.
Tusk described South Korea as Poland’s “most important ally after the United States, especially in the defence industry.”
The two leaders also agreed to expand their cooperation across a wide range of areas, including energy supply chains, infrastructure, science and technology, high-tech industries and space.
Warsaw has emerged as a key buyer of South Korean arms as it modernises its military following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Tusk’s two-day visit, which began on Sunday, is his first to a non-European country since taking office as Polish prime minister in 2023. He is scheduled to travel to Tokyo after wrapping up his visit to Seoul on Monday.
Poland and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1989.