Poland’s Mateusz Morawiecki and South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeo held talks in Warsaw on Thursday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The two leaders discussed "bilateral relations, economic, military and energy cooperation, and international issues,” according to officials.
Afterwards, the Polish prime minister wrote on Facebook: “The partnership between Poland and South Korea is of a strategic nature. Today I met with South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeo in order to further strengthen our ties and friendship.”
Business, infrastructure, nuclear energy
The Polish prime minister said: “We’ve worked together on economic issues for a long time, and South Korean firms are investing huge resources in our country, especially in the IT sector and the high-tech industries.”
Morawiecki added that “this has now been extended to include investment in the construction of Poland’s planned mega-airport CPK and in nuclear energy.”
'Unprecedented’ defence ties
Morawiecki also said that bilateral cooperation in defence and security "has developed to unprecedented levels” under his government.
He wrote: “Quick purchases and deliveries of state-of-the-art equipment from South Korea, such as K2 Black Panther battle tanks, K9 Thunder self-propelled gun howitzers and K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers, will bring Poland security for many years to come and help turn the Polish army into one of the most powerful armies in Europe.”
Polish, South Korean presidents discuss defence ties, support for Ukraine
Earlier in the day, South Korea’s Yoon held talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda on defence ties and support for Ukraine, according to officials.
The Polish president praised “brilliant prospects” for bilateral economic cooperation as Poland and South Korea signed memoranda of understanding on infrastructure ties and joint efforts for the reconstruction of Ukraine, as well as a framework for collaboration in the promotion of trade and investment, the PAP news agency reported.
Meeting with Poland’s top lawmakers
On Thursday afternoon, the South Korean president met with Poland’s lower-house Speaker Elżbieta Witek.
The two politicians discussed cooperation between the Polish and South Korean arms industries, bilateral relations and support for Ukraine’s war effort against Russian aggression, according to officials.
Poland’s Witek “stressed that relations between Warsaw and Seoul are very dynamic and fast-growing,” and noted her meeting with South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in August last year, her office said.
Witek added that Poland and South Korea had a joint parliamentary team and that "it is extremely important" for the two countries to further develop their cooperation, according to officials.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Yoon said that “Polish-Korean cooperation is especially deep in the arms industry and the electromobility sector.”
The South Korean leader added that Poland and South Korea “share similar history” and “expressed his appreciation for how Polish people helped Ukrainians after the launch of Russian aggression,” according to the Polish lower house.
Yoon later also held talks with Poland’s upper-house Speaker Tomasz Grodzki, officials told reporters.
During his visit to Poland this week, the South Korean president is being accompanied by First Lady Kim Keon Hee, the PAP news agency reported.
On Friday, the Polish and South Korean presidents are expected to attend a bilateral business forum in Warsaw.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, dorzeczy.pl