Ankara: South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun emphasized Trkiye's rising strategic global role and underlined the growing cooperation between South Korea and Trkiye in the defense industry.
According to Anadolu Agency, Cho highlighted that both countries are steadily enhancing their international standing in areas where they possess strong defense industries, with ongoing mutually beneficial cooperation through various projects, especially the Altay main battle tank project. Cho expressed hope for the expansion of this cooperation, stressing its potential to strengthen the defense capacities of both nations while contributing significantly to regional and global peace and security.
Cho recalled the emphasis placed by South Korean and Turkish leaders on advancing jointly toward a strong global position in the defense industry. He noted agreements to continue cooperation across various areas, including joint production, technological collaboration, and educational exchange programs based on mutual trust. He highlighted Trkiye's significant progress in the defense sector, citing surpassing $10 billion in defense exports and hosting IDEF, the largest defense industry fair in its history, as indicators of this progress.
The minister elaborated on South Korea's pragmatic approach to competition between the US and China, focusing on national interests from a holistic perspective. He discussed Seoul's strategy to enhance industrial competitiveness through cooperation with both China and the US, particularly in advanced technology fields. Cho also mentioned recent diplomatic visits to China and Japan, emphasizing the intent to maintain strong cooperation with these nations.
Cho underlined the historical ties between South Korea and Trkiye, rooted in the Korean War, which continue to foster deep trust and friendship. He highlighted the significant political, economic, and cultural cooperation that has developed over the years, noting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's recent visit to Trkiye as a reaffirmation of the strategic partnership.
In terms of economic relations, Cho mentioned the growth in trade volume between the two countries, facilitated by the South Korea-Trkiye Free Trade Agreement. He expressed a desire to expand cooperation into future strategic sectors like nuclear energy and artificial intelligence, indicating a commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership across various domains.
Regarding the Korean Peninsula, Cho noted ongoing efforts to reopen dialogue channels with North Korea despite current challenges, emphasizing the importance of a long-term approach to reduce tensions and rebuild trust. He also appreciated Trkiye's mediator role in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and expressed South Korea's support for the Gaza Peace Plan and the two-state solution for Palestine.
Cho concluded by highlighting Trkiye's strategic position as a crossroads connecting Europe and the Middle East, suggesting its potential as a hub for Korean companies' investments and expansion. He noted the rising interest in cultural exchanges between the two nations and expressed hopes to deepen people-to-people ties ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.