외교부

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,

It’s a privilege for me to be here in Warsaw for my official visit to Poland. Let me first express my gratitude to you, Minister Sikorski, for your kind invitation and warm hospitality.

Over the years, our high-level exchanges, highlighted by the reciprocal visits of our Presidents in 2023 and 2024, have underscored the depth and significance of our partnership.

I am pleased to keep this momentum alive with my own visit today, the first visit in six years and the first official visit in eighteen years by a Korean Foreign Minister.

More than anything else, today’s in-depth dialogue reinforced the Korea-Poland Strategic Partnership that is true to its name – ours is a relationship of real substance and profound importance.

Our cooperation runs deep and wide, anchored in shared values as well as strategic alignment, and is all the more valuable as we navigate the increasingly turbulent time of drastically changing geopolitical landscape.

It is in this spirit that Minister Sikorski and I have committed to strengthening our collaboration in defense and security, expanding economic ties and enhancing trans-regional security cooperation, among other key areas.

(Building a Stronger Defense Partnership)

First, we reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to building a stronger defense partnership.

In 2022, Korea and Poland laid the foundation for an ambitious defense partnership by concluding a $44.2 billion defense framework agreement, followed by the first set of executive contracts.

This agreement has set a new benchmark in our bilateral relations, underscoring our deep strategic alignment in the areas of defense and security.  

Currently, we are working on the second set of executive contracts.

Recognizing the unprecedented scale of our defense collaboration as a cornerstone of our bilateral relationship, Minister Sikorski and I agreed to extend all possible support – including government-level consultations – to accelerate the conclusion of the second executive contract for K2 tanks.

(Expanding Economic Cooperation)

When it comes to economic cooperation, we reviewed the progress of our ongoing projects and cooperation in key sectors such as energy and infrastructure.

We resolved to deepen our economic cooperation as it undoubtedly contributes to our mutual prosperity and growth.  

In fact, our economic ties have grown by leaps and bounds over the past years. Poland is now Korea’s fifth-largest trading partner within the EU, and Korea has become the largest Asian investor in Poland as of 2024.

This is a testament to the trust and potential both nations see in each other’s economic future.

To further capitalize on this momentum, I have requested the Polish government’s support in ensuring a stable and conducive environment for Korean companies doing business in and with Poland.

(Enhancing Trans-Regional Security Cooperation)

Our partnership in the broader context of trans-regional security is also vital in the face of increasing connection between the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific.  

We both reaffirmed that there is a need to further strengthen our cooperation for trans-regional security cooperation encompassing both Europe and the Indo-Pacific, within the framework of the NATO-IP4 partnership.

Minister Sikorski and I strongly condemned North Korea’s continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, as well as its illegal military collusion with Russia.

We remain fully committed to achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea and improving its dire human rights situation.

I commend Poland for its steadfast support for Ukraine since the outbreak of the war. The Korean government will also continue its humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine, while working closely with the international community to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine.

This year, we are launching a mid-to-long-term assistance package exceeding $2 billion, building upon the $400 million provided last year to address Ukraine’s urgent needs in energy, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

(Way Forward for Korea-Poland Strategic Partnership)

Looking ahead, Minister Sikorski and I took an important step today by signing the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Strategic Partnership between Korea and Poland for 2025-2028.

This plan lays out concrete steps to further strengthen our cooperation across multiple fields.  

Minister Sikorski and I will continue to work together to elevate the Korea-Poland Strategic Partnership to new heights, building on our shared values and mutual interests.

Our partnership is dynamic, resilient and forward-looking – and together, we will continue to build on this strong foundation for the future.

Thank you. /END/