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South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun emphasized Türkiye's rising strategic global role and growing bilateral cooperation in the defense industry, particularly the Altay main battle tank project, in an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) on Friday.
Cho said South Korea and Türkiye are steadily boosting their international reputation in defense, and continue to work together on projects that benefit both countries.
"We hope this mutually beneficial cooperation will expand further in the coming period," Cho said, stressing it will not only strengthen defense industry capacities of both countries but also make significant contributions to "reinforcing regional and global peace and security."
Cho recalled that South Korean and Turkish leaders highlighted their shared goal of strengthening their global position in the defense industry. He said they agreed to continue cooperating in joint production, technology, and educational exchange programs based on mutual trust.
"We closely follow Türkiye's long-standing and determined efforts to strengthen its own defense industry capacity," Cho said.
He noted that exceeding $10 billion in defense exports for the first time last year and "successfully hosting IDEF, the largest defense industry fair in its history, are considered concrete indicators of remarkable progress in this field."
Cho underlined that Türkiye is a brother country that fought to defend South Korea's freedom and democracy by sending nearly 20,000 soldiers during the Korean War.
"The memory of this sacrifice and solidarity still forms the foundation of deep trust and friendship between the two countries," Cho said.
Cho noted that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Türkiye last year, the first in 13 years, led to an agreement to boost high-level contacts and dialogue, reflecting both countries’ interest in strengthening their strategic partnership.
In the economic field, both countries have steadily increased trade volume based on the South Korea-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement that entered into force in 2013, reaching a record high of $10.4 billion in 2023.
"Building on the cooperation experience accumulated to date, the parties aim to expand cooperation beyond existing areas into future strategic sectors such as defense industry, nuclear energy, biotechnology, renewable energy and artificial intelligence," Cho said.
More than 200 Korean companies operating in various sectors have invested in Türkiye. Cho said the government will continue providing necessary policy and institutional support to further increase Korean companies' investments and commercial activities in Türkiye.
Cho stated that Türkiye is at a strategic crossroads connecting Europe and the Middle East, noting that Ankara's strategic value is increasingly prominent in diversifying global supply chains and establishing regional production hubs.
"In this context, Türkiye is considered to have the quality of an important hub for production investments by Korean companies and expansion into third countries," he added.
He emphasized that rather than pursuing a mere balancing policy amid competition between the U.S. and China, the South Korean government adopts a pragmatic approach based on assessing national interests from a holistic, organic and multidimensional perspective.
Cho said that they welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza and "appreciated Türkiye’s mediation efforts."
South Korea expects the Gaza Peace Plan to be implemented without delay and in full. Cho expressed hope that the ceasefire becomes permanent and the humanitarian situation improves.
On Palestinian statehood, Cho said the South Korean government consistently supports a two-state solution and plans to contribute more actively to its implementation.
Regarding Ukraine, Cho emphasized that Seoul consistently maintains its position that Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence must be respected.
Cho noted communication between North and South Korea has been disrupted for a long time, with Seoul making multidimensional and determined efforts to reopen dialogue channels.
"Despite the lack of a positive response from North Korea so far, the government believes a long-term approach is essential to reduce tensions, rebuild mutual trust, and keep dialogue open on the Korean Peninsula," Cho said.
He added South Korea will continue diplomatic efforts in close cooperation with countries such as Türkiye that support peace, coexistence and development on the Korean Peninsula.
Ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, South Korea aims to deepen people-to-people ties with Türkiye by expanding youth exchange programs, boosting tourism and strengthening cooperation among educational and cultural institutions.
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