Yonhap news agency reported on Monday, citing its sources, that it is not known whether the contract for the sale of 820 K2 tanks to Poland will be signed this year. The reason for this is the current situation in South Korea. The president of this country declared martial law on December 3, but six hours later he abandoned this decision under the pressure of the parliament.
Due to the short-term military situation and chaos in South Korea, it is not known whether the contract to export 820 K2 tanks to Poland will be completed by the end of 2024, Yonhap news agency writes on Monday.
Recently, the Polish authorities assured that the implementation of arms contracts is not in danger. “On behalf of the Korean Ministry of National Defense, we have received assurances from Deputy Defense Minister Il Sung that our cooperation and implementation of arms contracts will not be threatened in any way,” Defense Minister Władysław Kosniak-Kamys said on December 3. his account on the X portal.
Also read: “We got guarantees.” Kosiniak-Kamys about the situation in South Korea >>>
The voice of South Korean industry representatives
Representatives of the South Korean industry expressed their concern that their position in the world market, which is closely related to government contracts, could suffer a lot. They cited impeachment motions against President Jung Suk-jeol, who declared and then lifted the state of emergency hours later, and his announced ouster would prolong political confusion in South Korea. and create a “power vacuum.”
Therefore, it is not known whether the contract for the sale of 820 K2 tanks to Poland will be signed this year or not, Yonhap reports from sources.
– The latest opinions of the Polish side indicate that it is not in a hurry, and this may make it difficult to conclude an agreement by the end of the year. It seems that Poland is also taking into account the political situation in (South) Korea, said an industry representative quoted by the agency.
– Defense activities often involve negotiations between companies and governments or between governments. When there is a power vacuum, we may not be able to give the right answer, which may cause us to lose the trust of our partners, another industry expert explained on condition of anonymity.
The situation in South Korea
South Korean President Jung Suk-jeol declared martial law in the country on December 3, accusing the opposition of sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government. After six hours, he gave up this decision under the pressure of the parliament.
On the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister and the head of the Ministry of National Defense, Vladislav Kosiniak-Kamys, assured that the execution of the arms contracts is not in danger. “We are in constant contact with our attaché in Seoul as well as his Korean counterpart in Poland. On behalf of the Korean Ministry of National Defense, we have received assurances from Vice Minister of Defense Il Sung that our cooperation and implementation of arms contracts is in this context. does not threaten, – wrote Kosniak-Kamys on the X platform
South Korean Member of Parliament, National Assembly JEON HYON-KYUN/PAP/EPA
The next day, the head of the National Security Bureau, Jacek Siviera, announced that he had spoken with representatives of the South Korean government. and the Korean arms industry. He then said that “supply continues without delay and we expect good news from the industry.”
Agreement on the delivery of 180 units in South Korea to Poland. K2 tanks were signed in July 2022. At the same time, a wide-ranging agreement was signed, which provides for the delivery of a total of 1000 tanks to the Polish army, of which the remaining 820 vehicles should be deeply Polonized, and eventually the tanks will be produced in Poland.
Six-hour martial law in South Korea PAP/EPA – Han Myeong-gu
Negotiations between the Polish government and Hyundai Rotem for the remaining 820 vehicles were already in their final stages, Yonhap reports.
Also read: Six-hour martial law. What happened in South Korea >>>
Main photo source: Ministry of National Defense
