SEOUL: South Korea and Poland have reaffirmed and expanded their defence partnership during Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s landmark visit to Seoul, highlighting deepening strategic ties as Europe’s security landscape continues to shift following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Tusk’s trip – the first by a Polish premier to South Korea in 27 years – included high-level talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Blue House on Monday.
The meeting underscored the rapid growth in bilateral relations, particularly in defence cooperation, with both sides agreeing to elevate ties to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”.
According to AFP, President Lee emphasised the resilience and importance of the alliance, noting that collaboration has strengthened despite ongoing geopolitical instability.
He pointed to the substantial 2022 defence agreement, valued at more than $40 billion, under which Poland procured South Korean tanks, self-propelled howitzers, and multiple rocket launch systems.
Some of these systems are already deployed across Poland, where they are contributing to national defence and reinforcing security along NATO’s eastern flank. Lee remarked that the equipment is “operating proudly” across the country, helping to safeguard its territory.
Poland has emerged as one of South Korea’s most significant defence partners in Europe, driven by Warsaw’s accelerated military modernisation programme in response to the war in neighbouring Ukraine.
As a NATO and European Union member, Poland has been a key supporter of Kyiv since the conflict began in February 2022. South Korea has also aligned itself with Ukraine, particularly amid growing concerns over North Korea’s reported military support for Russia. This shared strategic outlook has further strengthened ties between Seoul and Warsaw.
During the summit, Tusk described South Korea as Poland’s “second-most important ally after the United States”, especially in the defence sector – a statement reflecting the scale and strategic importance of the partnership.
Beyond defence, both leaders agreed to broaden cooperation into other critical sectors, including energy supply chains and infrastructure development, signalling a more comprehensive economic and strategic alignment.
Tusk is expected to conclude his visit later on Monday before travelling onward to Tokyo, as part of a broader diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening Poland’s ties in Asia.
