South Korea, Qatar defence ministers agree to boost defence ties, bilateral cooperation

Defence ministers of South Korea and Qatar have agreed to enhance joint military training and bolster bilateral cooperation, Seoul’s Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday. The agreement comes amidst South Korea’s efforts to expand its global arms sales.

During a meeting in Qatar on Tuesday, South Korea’s Defence Minister Shin Won-Sik and his Qatari counterpart Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah signed an agreement to conduct regular ministerial-level discussions and establish a framework for bilateral defence collaboration.

The ministry further highlighted that Shin’s visit to the Middle East included stops in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where he participated in the World Defence Show, as part of his seven-day trip to the region.

Shin’s trip comes as South Korea seeks to become one of the world’s largest arms suppliers. Its arms sales jumped to $17 billion in 2022 from $7.25 billion the year before, data from the Defence Ministry showed.

The country’s weapons exports to the Middle East grew nearly tenfold between 2013 and 2022, according to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Shin also met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to the country in November, the ministry said.

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With inputs from agencies.