Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna said Korean defense companies may need joint ventures and local production partnerships in NATO member states to expand in Europe. Speaking in Seoul, he pointed to Poland as the model and said such cooperation could open doors to the Czech market and NATO. He also said Korea and the Czech Republic could expand cooperation in small arms and military vehicles. Zůna added that Czech defense procurement is largely committed through 2035.
Jaromír Zůna, left, deputy prime minister and defense minister of the Czech Republic, speaks during an interview at the Czech Embassy in Seoul, Sept. 7. Seated on the right is Czech Ambassador to Korea Ivan Jancarek. Courtesy of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic
Korean defense companies seeking to expand their ties with NATO member nations may need to establish joint ventures and local production partnerships in member states, following the model they have built in Poland, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna said Monday.
“Poland is not only buying (Korea’s K2 tanks). Basically, it is building industry around it in cooperation with South Korean businesses,” Zůna said during an interview with The Korea Times at the Czech Embassy in Seoul.
