South Korea and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Defense Ties Through High-Level Meeting and Live-Fire Demonstration

On Tuesday, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of National Guard, Prince Abdullah Bin Bandar Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to advance defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries.

The Saudi Ministry of National Guard operates independently from the Saudi Ministry of Defense. It is responsible for safeguarding critical sites, including the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, royal residences, and oil-rich areas. This visit marks the first by a Saudi National Guard Minister to South Korea, following an invitation from Minister Kim.

Kim highlighted the deepening cooperation between South Korea and Saudi Arabia, reinforced by recent high-level state visits. He underscored Saudi Arabia’s role as South Korea’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and a key ally in both economic and security domains. Kim praised the comprehensive, future-focused partnership between the two nations’ defense ministries and noted the broadening scope of collaboration with the Saudi National Guard.

During the visit, Abdullah and the Saudi delegation observed a combined arms live-fire exercise at the Pocheon training ground. South Korean forces demonstrated their advanced firepower and mobility systems, showcasing the K-9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer and K-2 Black Panther main battle tank in a series of coordinated maneuvers involving infantry, artillery, and armored units.

Kim emphasized ongoing collaboration between the Saudi National Guard and South Korea’s Hanwha Group on ground equipment procurement. He highlighted South Korea’s capabilities as an ideal partner for comprehensive cooperation, which includes joint research, development, and logistical support. Kim assured the Saudi delegation of South Korea’s commitment to supporting these efforts.

In February 2023, the Saudi National Guard signed an MOU with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems, marking a significant step toward deeper defense collaboration.

Expressing hope that the live-fire demonstration showcased the advanced capabilities of South Korean weapon systems, Kim conveyed South Korea’s readiness to support Saudi Arabia’s national security and self-defense efforts. He also emphasized South Korea’s commitment to promoting stability and peace in the Middle East.

Abdullah commended the effectiveness of the combined arms exercise and extended his gratitude to South Korean defense officials and troops. He acknowledged the rising global recognition of South Korean defense technology and expressed a desire to deepen bilateral defense ties, extending cooperation beyond procurement into various defense sectors.