President Lee Jae-myung on the 13th agreed with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the need for a joint response to the Middle East–triggered supply chain crisis and decided to expand cooperation. After holding talks with Tusk at the Blue House, Lee said in a joint press statement, "We agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' based on the deep trust we have built," and made the announcement.
In the statement released that day, Lee said, "Above all, the prime minister and I agreed that the security of the Korean Peninsula and Europe is closely connected," adding, "The two countries decided to work together for global peace while striving for peace and prosperity in each region." Lee went on, "We agreed that stabilizing global supply chains is important to cope with the crisis brought on by the Middle East war, and we agreed to continue necessary cooperation."
Tusk said, "We are now facing an unstable international order and multiple crises continuing around the world," adding, "We must join forces for a new peace." In particular, the two leaders introduced in the local language a Polish proverb with a meaning similar to "like attracts like," and assessed, "Because of the historical bonds and cultural affinity we share, the two countries were able to strengthen their strategic partnership in an unprecedentedly short period of time."
Poland is a member of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and is regarded as a "defense industry partner" that in 2022 signed a framework contract worth 44.2 billion won with Korea for K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 light attack aircraft. In Dec. last year, Hanwha Aerospace also signed a third export contract worth 5.6 trillion won for the domestic multiple rocket launcher "Cheonmu."
The joint statement that day also included an intention to expand cooperation in comprehensive and future-oriented areas such as ▲ advanced industry and science and technology ▲ space ▲ energy ▲ infrastructure. In particular, regarding defense industry cooperation, Lee said, "With the signing in 2022 of a framework contract worth about $44.2 billion, defense industry cooperation between the two countries is leaping toward the future."
Lee also said he emphasized to Prime Minister Tusk the need for the stable implementation of the contract. In response, Tusk said, "The key driving force of bilateral relations remains defense industry cooperation," adding, "We intend to continue this cooperation going forward and to accelerate technology transfer, localization in Poland, and the transfer of production bases to Poland."
Lee said, "I asked for special attention so that our corporations can participate in major infrastructure projects in Poland, such as new airport links and the replacement of Warsaw trams," and Tusk said, "As Korea is the largest Asian investor in Poland, we will continue to work to ensure that the investment environment for Korean companies in Poland proceeds in the best possible direction."