Korean arms firms need European joint ventures to expand NATO ties: Czech defense chief

Korean defense firms aiming to strengthen their partnerships with NATO nations may have to create joint ventures and local production alliances within member states, according to Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna. Speaking to The Korea Times at the Czech Embassy in Seoul, Zůna highlighted Poland as a prime example of how this can be accomplished.

"Poland is not only buying (Korea’s K2 tanks). Basically, it is building industry around it in cooperation with South Korean businesses," he explained. The Czech leader emphasized that Poland has successfully established a joint venture, transferring technology from South Korea to a European partner, which is the model other countries should follow.

Zůna noted that several European countries are currently considering the K2 as a potential main battle tank. During his visit to Seoul, he attended the Seoul Defense Dialogue, an annual multilateral security forum hosted by Korea's Ministry of National Defense. This year's event took place from Monday to Wednesday. Zůna also met with his Korean counterpart, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, to discuss bilateral defense and security cooperation during his stay.