Kang says Poland Chunmoo deal advances push for top-four arms rank
· UPIDec. 30 (Asia Today) -- Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik said Tuesday that South Korea's 5.6 trillion won ($3.9 billion) Chunmoo export contract with Poland shows the government's goal of joining the world's top four defense exporters is "being fully realized."
Kang made the remarks to reporters after returning to Incheon International Airport following a trip to Poland as a presidential special envoy for strategic economic cooperation.
Hanwha Aerospace signed a third implementation contract worth 5.6 trillion won ($3.9 billion) on Monday to supply and locally produce guided missiles for the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, following a first implementation contract worth about 5 trillion won ($3.5 billion) in November 2022 and a second contract worth about 2.2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) in April 2024.
Kang said defense cooperation contracts with Poland totaling more than $10 billion, or nearly 15 trillion won ($10.5 billion), have been finalized under the Lee Jae-myung administration, citing an earlier K2 tank contract valued at about $6.5 billion signed in August.
He also said South Korea's overseas defense contracts in 2025 totaled $15.2 billion and claimed $14.2 billion, more than 90% of that amount, was signed after the Lee administration took office in June.
Kang said it was meaningful to report the export results after recent contracts with Peru and Estonia and said the government will continue building long-term cooperation with key partners to position South Korea as a strategic economic partner, including in defense.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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