The order of military equipment from South Korea is in doubt

Due to the short-lived martial law and the resulting chaos in South Korea, it is not certain whether the contract for the export of 820 K2 tanks to Poland will be finalized before the end of 2024 – writes the Yonhap agency on Monday.

The Polish authorities recently assured that the implementation of arms contracts is not at risk. “We have received an assurance on behalf of the Korean Ministry of National Defense from Deputy Minister of Defense Il Sung that our cooperation and implementation of arms contracts is in no way threatened,” said the Minister of National Defense on December 3. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on your account on the X portal.

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Representatives of the South Korean industry expressed concerns that their position on the global market, which is strongly linked to government contracts, may suffer greatly. The reason for this was the motions to impeach President Jun Suk Jeol, who announced it and then canceled it a few hours later state of emergencyas well as the announced removal of him from his duties, will prolong the political confusion in South Korea. and create a “power vacuum”.

Therefore, it is not clear whether the contract for the sale of 820 K2 tanks to Poland will be signed this year, Yonhap reports from sources.

– Recent comments from the Polish side suggest that it is in no hurry, which may make it difficult to conclude an agreement before the end of the year. It seems that Poland also takes into account the political situation in Korea (South), said an industry representative quoted by the agency.

-Activities in the defense industry often involve negotiations between companies and governments or between governments. During a power vacuum, we may not be able to respond appropriately, which may result in the loss of trust of our partners, explained another industry expert, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

President of South Korea Jun Suk Jeol declared martial law in the country on December 3, accusing the opposition of sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government's work. After six hours, he withdrew this decision under pressure from parliament.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, assured that the implementation of arms contracts was not at risk. “We are in constant contact with our attache in Seoul, as well as his Korean counterpart in Poland. We have received assurances on behalf of the Korean Ministry of National Defense from Deputy Minister of Defense Il Sung that our cooperation and implementation of arms contracts is in no way threatened,” wrote Kosiniak-Kamysz on the X platform

The next day, the head of the National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera, announced that he had talked to representatives of the South Korean government. and the Korean arms industry. He said then that “deliveries are proceeding without delays and we expect good news from the industry.”

Agreement for the supply to Poland of 180 manufactured in South Korea. K2 tanks was signed in July 2022. At the same time, a broader framework agreement was signed, providing for the delivery of… Polish army a total of 1,000 tanks, of which the remaining 820 machines would be subject to deeper Polonization, and ultimately the tanks would be produced in Poland.

Negotiations between the Polish government and the Hyundai Rotem concern regarding the remaining 820 vehicles were already in their final phase, notes Yonhap.

Read also: Six-hour martial law. What was it about in South Korea >>>