Chilean, Czech envoys laud Korean weapons

The weapons techniques developed by South Korea not solely are environment friendly, but additionally provide alternatives to boost protection ties, in keeping with the highest Chilean and Czech envoys in South Korea.

The 2 ambassadors had been talking to reporters following live-fire drills carried out by the Korean Military throughout a Might 2 demonstration in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The occasion, held for the primary time for overseas diplomats in Seoul, was the most recent spotlight of the push by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to safe potential arms patrons by showcasing the most recent weapons.

“We don’t have huge relations by way of shopping for or promoting arms. We’re higher with wine. However we’re at all times cooperating with Korea. We’re in MOU (memorandum of understanding) and cooperation agreements, between the Ministry of Protection each in procurement and in addition in cooperation in different points,” mentioned Mathias Francke, Chilean ambassador to South Korea.

The envoy referred to his nation’s current purchases of Korean “tactical automobiles,” calling them the “first step in shopping for extra Korean expertise within the armed forces.” The Chilean Marine Corps deployed 30 such automobiles in November final 12 months.

Gustav Slamecka, Czech ambassador to South Korea, mentioned the drills will assist his nation talk about “future cooperation within the protection trade” with Seoul, noting Korea-Czech enterprise ties are already sturdy in different sectors.

“After all Korea is among the main producers with environment friendly weapons, so we’re Korea as a possible provider for the Czech Republic,” Slamecka mentioned.

The envoy underscored boosting arms purchases within the face of rising world conflicts, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The world is turning into extra harmful nowadays with the wars in Ukraine, and another conflicts. So we now have to answer that,” he mentioned.

The International Ministry in Seoul, which had led interagency efforts for the drills and arrange a process drive in December final 12 months to streamline arms exports, mentioned the diplomatic missions may reap the benefits of a “gross sales pitch” earlier than the acquisition.

Native weapons makers had additionally contributed to creating the drills occur, in keeping with the ministry.

Twenty-two diplomats from 18 international locations — together with Poland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and US — took half within the demonstration. The navy mobilized the K9 howitzers, the important thing export merchandise, together with the K2 fundamental battle tanks, K21 infantry combating automobiles and Chunmoo artillery rocket techniques. About 200 rounds of artillery shells had been fired.

A day earlier than marking the completion of his first 12 months in workplace on Tuesday, Yoon touted overseas coverage as one thing that might go away a mark on the anniversary, saying he would step up efforts to advance financial pursuits, together with these involving the arms trade.

“We have now eyes set on turning into the subsequent arms participant, after the US, Russia and France,” Yoon mentioned in August final 12 months at a speech marking 100 days in workplace. “Making the protection trade serve our strategic wants is essential.”

By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)