▲ South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (C), who is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, poses for a photo with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud (R) and National Guard Minister Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud prior to their talks in Riyadh on Oct. 23, 2023. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Yoon-Saudi defense minister

Yoon, Saudi defense minister call for boosting defense industry ties

By Lee Haye-ah

RIYADH, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Saudi Arabia's ministers of defense and national guard and expressed hope for strengthening defense industry ties between the two countries, his office said Tuesday.

Yoon met with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud and Minister of National Guard Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Monday as part of his four-day state visit to the Middle Eastern kingdom.

The two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense and the defense industry, with Yoon noting that the two countries' high-level visits since last year will help advance defense cooperation and by extension the bilateral relationship.

Minister Khalid said the two countries' defense industry cooperation, which is close to producing results, will be a new milestone in their partnership. He also expressed hope for next-generation defense industry cooperation and proposed a comprehensive partnership that includes technological collaboration and joint production.

In response, Yoon said South Korea hopes to contribute to the success of Saudi Arabia's defense reforms and called for deepening the scope of defense cooperation to include defense training, joint exercises, visits to military bases and people-to-people exchanges, according to his office.

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