On April 12, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a statement that said the government dispatched a joint public-private defense industry cooperation delegation to Latin America. MOFA and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) led the delegation with the intent of promoting K-defense exports across the region. From April 6 to 10, the delegation visited Chile and Brazil — two of the region's most promising defense markets — participating in the FIDAE aerospace and defense exhibition, hosting K-Defense Forums, and holding bilateral meetings with senior defense officials.
The delegation was composed of MOFA, DAPA, KOTRA, the Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA), the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and seven major defense companies: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hanwha Ocean, Korea Defense Intelligence (KDI), Korean Air, Poongsan, and Hyundai Corporation. It was led by Kim Jin-hae, MOFA's Representative to CARICOM.
Chile: FIDAE and High-Level Engagement
The delegation arrived in Chile on April 6–7 to attend FIDAE, Latin America's largest aerospace and defense exhibition, held April 7–12 and drawing more than 370 companies from 33 countries. South Korea maintained a dedicated Korea Pavilion at the event. The delegation attended a Korea national defense promotion reception, strengthening networks with Chilean and regional defense stakeholders.
In a notable highlight, Chilean President José Antonio Kast visited the Korea Pavilion at FIDAE, providing a high-profile opportunity to showcase K-defense capabilities directly to the host country's head of state.
Prior to the exhibition, the delegation convened a Latin America Defense Export Council meeting with MOFA officials, KOTRA trade representatives, and defense attachés to review regional market trends and map out export expansion strategies. A separate industry roundtable gave South Korean defense companies an opportunity to present their products and raise concerns about market entry. Senior Chilean defense officials were also met to discuss avenues for deepening bilateral defense cooperation.
Brazil: Strategic Partnership and K-Defense Forum
From April 9 to 10, the delegation traveled to Brazil for high-level meetings and a K-Defense Forum showcasing South Korean defense capabilities and weapons systems. The visit built on the momentum of the South Korea–Brazil summit held in late February, at which the two countries elevated their relationship to a "Strategic Partnership." The delegation used this elevated bilateral framework to advance practical defense cooperation and identify new areas for collaboration.
Official Remarks
Kim Jin-hae, head of the delegation and MOFA's Representative to CARICOM, stated: "This mission brought government and industry together as one team to promote the excellence of K-defense and lay a bridgehead for expanding K-defense exports — previously concentrated in select markets — across Latin America as a whole. We believe it has made a meaningful contribution to establishing South Korea as a sustainable defense powerhouse."
Park Min-ju, DAPA's Director for Asia and Latin America Cooperation, said: "This whole-of-government defense export cooperation delegation — bringing together DAPA, MOFA, KDIA, ADD, KOTRA, and seven defense companies — has strengthened the foundation for public-private cooperation and paved the way for a mutually beneficial defense partnership with Latin American nations going forward."
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(Press Release translated by AI, edited by David Kendall)
