WARSAW, Poland — South Korea and Poland marked an important development in their alliance on Wednesday by signing a cooperation agreement, underscoring shared concerns over global security threats. Despite the significant geographical distance, the two democratic nations find common ground in addressing these challenges.
The agreement was formalized by the foreign ministers of the two countries, Cho Tae-yul of South Korea and Poland’s Radek Sikorski. The action plan they signed details the enhancement of their collaborative efforts across various domains such as politics, economy, defense, and culture, charting the course of their relationship through 2028.
Cho emphasized the necessity of bolstering transregional security efforts, which span Europe and the Indo-Pacific region as part of the ongoing NATO-IP4 partnership. This partnership encompasses alliances involving South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, aimed at fostering global stability.
Since 2013, South Korea and Poland have been strategic partners, with South Korea emerging as a primary supplier of military equipment to Poland. This collaboration aligns with Poland’s extensive military modernization program within NATO’s framework. Sikorski noted that Poland is currently the largest recipient of Korean military equipment, and both nations are exploring possibilities to further advance their cooperation by relocating production and transferring technology to Poland, potentially turning Poland into a hub for promoting Korean military hardware across Europe and contributing to Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Both countries share apprehension regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, directly impacting NATO’s eastern frontier and raising regional security tensions.
In addition to military concerns, both countries are wary of North Korea’s involvement in supporting Russia, including potential deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russian forces. South Korea is particularly worried about the prospect of Russia compensating North Korea with access to sensitive technologies that could bolster its nuclear and missile capabilities.
Cho announced an expanded assistance package for Ukraine, amounting to over $2 billion, building upon the $400 million already provided last year. This support is part of South Korea’s commitment to addressing urgent needs in Ukraine across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
The foreign ministers also discussed economic cooperation, focusing on increasing Polish food exports to South Korea. With Poland being Korea’s fifth-largest trading partner within the EU, and Korea becoming the largest Asian investor in Poland by 2024, both nations see significant potential in further enhancing their economic ties, reflecting mutual trust and shared economic goals.
