In a move reflecting the depth of the strategic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea, His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the National Guard, received His Excellency Ahn Gyu-bak, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, and his accompanying delegation at his office in Riyadh. The meeting provided an important platform for exchanging friendly remarks and discussing topics of mutual interest, underscoring the two countries' commitment to strengthening their partnership in various fields, particularly the defense and military sectors.
This meeting comes in the historical context of the distinguished relations between Riyadh and Seoul, which began diplomatically in 1962. This relationship has evolved from an economic partnership based on energy in exchange for technology and construction, to become today a comprehensive strategic partnership in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. South Korea is a pivotal partner for the Kingdom in its efforts to diversify its economy and localize advanced industries, including the rapidly growing defense industries.
Defense cooperation is a cornerstone of the Saudi-Korean partnership. As part of its ambitious Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to localize more than 50% of its military spending by 2030. This objective opens up broad opportunities for cooperation with leading nations in military technology, such as South Korea, which has demonstrated its global capabilities in this field. This cooperation extends beyond equipment procurement to include technology transfer, joint training, and the establishment of joint industrial projects that contribute to building sustainable local capabilities and providing quality job opportunities for Saudi youth.
On a practical level, recent times have witnessed significant advancements in military cooperation between the two countries, most notably the signing of important agreements to supply the Saudi Armed Forces with advanced South Korean defense systems, such as the Cheongsong-2 (M-SAM II) air defense system. This reflects the mutual confidence in the technological and industrial capabilities of both sides. This meeting is expected to pave the way for further partnerships in other areas, such as armored vehicles, naval systems, and cybersecurity, thereby strengthening the defense capabilities of the National Guard and the Saudi Armed Forces in general.
Strengthening this cooperation carries strategic implications that extend beyond the bilateral dimension. Domestically, it supports the Kingdom's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in defense industries. Regionally and internationally, it contributes to enhancing the security and stability of the region and serves as a model for international partnerships based on shared interests and mutual respect in a changing world. The presence of His Excellency Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood, Deputy Minister of the National Guard, at the reception underscores the importance the Ministry attaches to this promising partnership.
