By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 

Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Marcin Kosiniak-Kamysz of Poland in Gliwice, Poland, on Aug. 1 (local time), and discussed in-depth ways to strengthen defense and arms industry cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Ahn stated, "I find it meaningful to visit Poland as my first overseas visit since taking office. Poland is a strategic partner of the Republic of Korea, and I highly value the ongoing cooperation between our two countries in various industries, including the defense industry and nuclear power plants."

Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz responded, "I welcome Minister Ahn's visit to Poland and hope that this meeting will further develop bilateral relations."

In particular, the two ministers expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to finalize the second implementation contract, which the two countries have been closely negotiating for the past two years following the signing of the first implementation contract for the K2 tank.

Furthermore, in line with the advancement of defense industry cooperation between the two countries through this agreement, they agreed to further strengthen comprehensive defense exchanges and cooperation.

Minister Ahn emphasized, "We will actively support education and training to enable the Polish military to optimally operate our weapons systems, including the K2 tank, K9 self-propelled howitzer, and the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher."

Minister Ahn emphasized the excellence of Korean weapons systems and proposed actively expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in other defense sectors, such as Poland's submarine project.

Minister Ahn also invited Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz to Korea and proposed that he witness the excellence of Korean weapons systems firsthand. Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz responded by promising to visit Korea soon.