South Korea and Poland signed a cooperation agreement on Wednesday. Foreign ministers Cho Tae-yul of South Korea and Radek Sikorski of Poland signed an action plan outlining relations in politics, economics, defence, and culture through 2028.
The ministers focused on enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in defence and economic cooperation. On social media, Sikorski shared that they discussed military equipment purchases and securing technology transfers and production to Poland. They also explored ways to increase trade, including agricultural and food products, strategic infrastructure and energy projects.
“Poland is the largest global recipient of Korean military equipment, and we aim to further develop this cooperation, with the possibility of relocating production and technology transfer to Poland,” Sikorski told reporters. He also mentioned that Poland could be a hub for promoting Korean military equipment in Europe and supporting Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts.
Since becoming a strategic partner in 2013, South Korea has emerged as a major weapons supplier to Poland, a NATO member currently modernising its armed forces through a significant investment programme.
Both nations are concerned about the situation in Ukraine, which borders Poland. Furthermore, they share worries about North Korea’s support for Russia in the conflict, including the dispatch of North Korean soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces. Seoul is apprehensive that Russia may reward North Korea with sensitive technology transfers that could enhance its nuclear and missile programs.
Cho announced that South Korea is launching an assistance package of over $2 billion, building on the $400 million provided to Ukraine last year, to address urgent energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education needs.
Additionally, Sikorski and Cho discussed expanding the access of Polish food products in the South Korean market. Cho noted that Poland is now Korea’s fifth-largest trading partner within the European Union, while Korea has become the largest Asian investor in Poland as of 2024.
