South Korean Ambassador: We are discussing with Kuwait the expansion of defense cooperation
Mia Al-Sakri – Kim Jang-hyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the country, affirmed his country’s commitment to elevating Kuwaiti-Korean relations to a new stage of sustainable partnership, based on enhancing mutual investments and expanding cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, defense, health, and culture, in addition to traditional cooperation in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Speaking during his first meeting with representatives of local media following the presentation of his credentials to His Highness the Amir of the State, Kim stated that Kuwait and Korea are working together to strengthen and develop political and economic relations, including expanding mutual investments.
He noted that Kuwait and Korea have cooperated for many years in the energy and infrastructure sectors, which remain important for both sides. However, the next phase requires developing these relations and transitioning them from mere individual transactions for the sale and purchase of goods and services to a continuous partnership based on mutual commitment, long-term trust, and investment in the economies of both countries.
He pointed out that His Highness the Amir expressed interest in enhancing high-level exchanges of visits and meetings between the two countries. Kim explained that he conveyed the greetings of the President of the Republic of Korea to His Highness during their meeting, emphasizing that one of his priorities during his tenure as Ambassador to Kuwait is to strengthen cooperative relations between the two countries in infrastructure, energy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and knowledge exchange.
He stated that his country looks forward to integrating modern Korean expertise and technologies into traditional sectors, so that cooperation extends beyond the establishment of infrastructure and energy projects to their development and operation using smart technologies and artificial intelligence.
He referred to the experience of Incheon International Airport Corporation in operating Terminal T4 at Kuwait International Airport, noting the corporation’s interest in obtaining the opportunity to operate Terminal T2 upon the completion of the project.
In the field of defense cooperation, Ambassador Kim affirmed that there are promising opportunities for Kuwait and Korea to develop their relations. He noted that recent security developments and challenges witnessed in the region have highlighted the importance of strengthening air defense systems and protecting vital facilities.
He expressed his admiration for the Kuwaiti people, who did not succumb to panic and continued their daily lives calmly despite the difficult circumstances, attributing this to their spirit of resilience and the rapid efforts of the Kuwaiti government to recover and maintain order and stability.
He pointed out that Kuwait’s air defense systems played a crucial role and successfully intercepted drones and missiles during the attacks witnessed in the region. He explained that the United Arab Emirates adopted the Korean medium-range air defense system, “Chungung-2.”
He stated that media reports indicated that the Korean system’s interception rate for hostile targets reached approximately 96%, placing it on par with some of the world’s leading defense systems.
He clarified that these advantages will enable Korean systems to make a significant contribution to Kuwait’s defensive capabilities.
In response to a question regarding the possibility of concluding new defense deals, Ambassador Kim mentioned that negotiations are still in their early stages and that it is premature to confirm outcomes or announce specific agreements.
