Minister of the Saudi National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz arrived Wednesday in the Republic of Korea for an official visit, responding to an invitation from Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-woo.

Upon his arrival, a formal reception ceremony was held at the Ministry of National Defense.

The two Ministers discussed ways to enhance cooperation in various fields, including joint training, exchange of expertise, armaments, and plans for localization and joint development to address future and emerging threats.

On the visit, the Saudi Minister is accompanied by Major General Saleh bin Abdulrahman Al-Harbi and several senior officials, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The Saudi Minister also attended a military parade of the Korean Ministry of National Defense.

He toured an accompanying exhibition where he was briefed on the machinery participating in the parade, as well as the opportunities for joint development.

Meanwhile, Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of South Korea's chemicals-to-aerospace conglomerate Hanwha Group, met with the visiting Saudi Minister to discuss cooperation in the defense industry segment, the company said Wednesday.

Both sides have agreed to jointly respond to defense industry demands in the Middle East and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economy.

Under the “Vision 2030” project, Saudi Arabia, which has been reliant on imported defense industry products, aims to locally produce 50 percent of its overall defense industry demands.

Hanwha said it will help Saudi Arabia locally develop defense industry goods and provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the products.

The Saudi Minister hoped the two sides will maintain a strategic and long-term partnership and serve as the defense industry hub of the Middle Eastern and African markets.