President Lee discusses defense industry cooperation with Polish, Italian leaders
Published: 25 Sep. 2025, 12:46
Updated: 25 Sep. 2025, 18:32
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- SARAH KIM
- [email protected]
![President Lee Jae Myung, right, speaks with Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept. 24. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2025/09/25/8b423fc2-3bc8-41d6-92b0-e592e7b1c5bc.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung, right, speaks with Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept. 24. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
NEW YORK — In a summit with Polish President Karol Nawrocki in New York on Wednesday, President Lee Jae Myung expressed hopes to expand bilateral defense industry cooperation through projects such as Poland's submarine acquisition program.
Lee and Nawrocki held their first talks on the margins of the UN General Assembly and agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the defense industry, including in areas such as tanks, according to the presidential office. They called for achieving "mutually beneficial" results for Korean and Polish companies.
Poland aims to acquire at least three 3,000-ton submarines under its Orka project to modernize its naval warfare capabilities, worth more than 3 trillion won (US$2.25 billion). Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has been seeking to secure an 8 trillion won ($5.71 billion) bid that could include investment in Polish shipyards and the construction of the submarines.
Last month, Poland signed a $6.5 billion deal to purchase a second batch of K2 tanks from Hyundai Rotem.
Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public relations and communication, told reporters in a briefing in New York that the Polish president noted that that the K2 tanks under export contracts with Korea were being delivered on time.
President Lee, in turn, proposed to strengthen cooperation in other defense systems, citing the significant advantages of Korean weapons, including their "high quality, cost-effectiveness and consistent delivery schedules."
The leaders further exchanged views on regional issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and Ukraine, according to Lee's office.
They recognized the steady progress in bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1989, encompassing political, economic and people-to-people exchanges.
The leaders noted the steady increase in bilateral trade and the expansion of substantive cooperation, including Korean companies' investments in advanced industries, making Korea the second-largest investor in Poland among non-EU countries.
Nawrocki said that Seoul's initiative to host the UN Security Council open debate on AI and security issues was timely, given the growing number of international security challenges.
Earlier in the day, Lee presided over the UN Security Council's open debate on AI and international peace and security.
![President Lee Jae Myung, right, shakes hands with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during their summit at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in New York on Sept. 24. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2025/09/25/ee41b240-6da5-4187-a7dc-74667fd644a7.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung, right, shakes hands with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during their summit at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in New York on Sept. 24. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
Lee also held his first summit with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday to discuss ways to bolster bilateral cooperation in areas such as AI and the defense industry, based on their strategic partnership.
The two leaders noted that Korea and Italy have played a positive role on the international stage and shared similar positions on various international issues amid complex global crises, the presidential office said.
They agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship in line with the shifting international environment and agreed to seek mutual visits.
Meloni highlighted the potential for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries and expressed her intention to visit Korea at the earliest opportunity.
During the talks, Meloni noted that Korea has significant economic and cultural potential and mentioned that her 9-year-old daughter is an "enthusiastic K-pop fan," Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public relations, told reporters. Meloni said her daughter's interest was not only in music but also in Korean culture, including traditional Korean clothing.
Lee in turn promised to prepare a special Hallyu (Korean Wave) program for her daughter if she visits Korea.
Lee's scheduled summit with French President Emmanuel Macron didn't take place, however. The presidential office said that the French side "requested a postponement due to an unavoidable domestic issue requiring urgent attention."
BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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