The Saudi Minister of National Guard, Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, received on Monday at his office Korea’s Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Seok Jong-gun, and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, they held friendly talks and discussions on mutual interests, including the Ministry's localization plans.
A number of officials from both sides attended the reception, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
In February 2024, Hanwha Aerospace, a major South Korean defense manufacturer, signed a partnership with the Saudi Arabia National Guard to support its modernization initiative. The company plans to develop project details with Saudi authorities this year.
Last week, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that its Head will visit Saudi Arabia and Norway to bolster defense industry partnerships amid the recent growth of Korean defense exports.
“These visits to Saudi Arabia and Norway mark the beginning of the government’s robust efforts to support defense exports in 2025,” Seok, a retired Army Major General and the current DAPA leader, said in a statement released last Thursday.
According to DAPA, Seok’s five-day trip, scheduled from 19-24 January, is primarily to showcase South Korea’s commitment to strengthening its defense industry partnerships.
In Saudi Arabia, Seok is scheduled to meet Prince Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud, minister of the National Guard, which oversees the defense of the royal family, the capital and critical infrastructure. Their discussions will focus on securing South Korean participation in the modernization project for Saudi Arabia’s large-scale ground forces, the DAPA explained.
Seok will also meet Khalid bin Hussein Albiyari, undersecretary for political affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Defense. Their agenda includes exploring South Korean involvement in Saudi projects to acquire key strategic assets in the maritime and aerospace sectors.
In Norway, Seok will visit KSAT, a space technology firm specializing in satellite control and Earth observation services. KSAT has provided ground station support for South Korea’s latest reconnaissance satellite program, the 425 project.
The DAPA added that discussions in Norway will also cover South Korea’s export of self-propelled howitzers and multiple-rocket launchers. Additionally, Seok plans to discuss ways to incorporate space technology collaboration into South Korea's ongoing defense export negotiations with Norway.
Seok’s visit comes amid South Korea’s recent growth in defense exports. According to the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, the country’s defense exports more than doubled from $3 billion in 2020 to $7.25 billion in 2021. The figure rocketed further to $17.3 billion in 2022. For 2025, the government has set a target of $20 billion.
