How the defense industry helps support South Korea’s foreign policy goals

Arms sales mark the latest example of South Korean defense diplomacy, allowing it to form closer relations with countries that share its values.

For example, defense minister Lee Jong-sup met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Phan Van Giang, on March 28 and discussed bilateral defense industrial cooperation and naval consultations. Lee invited Phan to the South Korean defense trade show this October.

This visit echoes Lee’s trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Poland last month, which centered around arms exports. 

Considering recent trends, it is no surprise that the Yoon administration actively promotes defense exports. In 2022, South Korean arms sales reached $17.3 billion, launching the country as a significant player in the global arms market. It was a milestone figure for a country whose annual defense exports hovered between $100 million to $200 million at the beginning of the 21st century.

Arms exports have been integral to South Korea’s national security interests. But they may exhibit newfound relevance in the ROK’s statecraft as the Yoon administration explicitly links arms sales to its values-based foreign policy. A push to distribute arms to seemingly as many partners as possible, however, could lead to trouble with some of South Korea’s powerful neighbors.

Read the full article on Korea Pro.