President Lee Jae-myung and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, taking the occasion of the first visit to Korea by a Polish prime minister in 27 years, emphasized their intention to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and to continue defense industry cooperation at the Korea–Poland summit held on the 13th.

President Lee said, “For defense industry cooperation between the two countries to deepen and develop, it is necessary to ensure the stable implementation of the overall contract signed in 2022, worth about USD 44.2 billion (approximately KRW 66 trillion).” The presidential office stated, “President Lee also asked for special attention so that the conclusion of the remaining implementation contracts can proceed smoothly.” With the two countries aligning on the “stable implementation” of the largest K-defense weapons export contract signed in 2022, observers assess that this sends a positive signal for the expansion of defense industry cooperation between Korea and Poland.

● Lee: “Stable implementation of defense contract is necessary”

At the summit held at the Blue House that day, President Lee said, “K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and even the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system—these weapons, embodying the Republic of Korea’s technology and pride, are powerfully traversing Poland’s green fields, safeguarding Poland’s territory and its people,” adding, “This is all the more meaningful in that it does not end with a simple weapons sale, but contributes to the development of Poland’s defense industry ecosystem through mutually beneficial cooperation such as joint production in Poland, technology transfer, and education and training.”

Poland, a member of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), signed a defense contract worth USD 44.2 billion with Korea in July 2022 as part of its military modernization program following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, after a change of government under Poland’s semi-presidential system, with the president and prime minister now belonging to different parties, differences emerged within Poland over diversifying weapons suppliers and providing financial support, raising concerns about the implementation of the contract.

Against this backdrop, the Polish prime minister explicitly expressed his intention to strengthen defense industry cooperation with Korea. As Poland is also reportedly interested in the domestically produced KF-21 Boramae supersonic fighter, there is growing speculation that defense industry cooperation could further expand. President Lee also said, “I requested the prime minister’s special attention so that Korean companies can participate in major infrastructure construction projects in Poland, such as the new airport connection project and the Warsaw tram replacement project.”

There are also expectations that the summit could pave the way for imports of Polish beef. Prime Minister Tusk said, “(President Lee) said that in trade and economic cooperation, both countries must obtain equal benefits,” adding, “(President Lee) said that the issue of Polish beef exports would be resolved immediately.” The government halted imports of European beef in 2000 after the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and has since resumed imports only from some countries.

● Kim Min-seok: “On the removal list under martial law,” Polish PM: “Similar experience under communism”

President Lee and Prime Minister Tusk found common ground during the summit and luncheon through shared experiences related to democratization and their backgrounds as former workers.

President Lee mentioned former Polish president Lech Wałęsa, who received the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the democratization movement, and said, “Prime Minister Tusk was a young comrade of Lech Wałęsa.” Prime Minister Tusk said, “Like President Lee, I also worked as a laborer at a young age,” and added, “The courage that President Lee personally demonstrated during the 2024 martial law situation astonished the entire world.”

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also met with Prime Minister Tusk that day and discussed the issue of martial law. Prime Minister Kim said, “The president and I were on the list of targets for removal by the coup forces during the recent martial law,” to which Prime Minister Tusk replied, “I can deeply relate, as I had a similar experience during the communist era.”

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