| Korea's Defense Minister Suh Wook, right, poses for a photo with his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart Mohammad Ahmed Al Bowardi in Seoul, March 18. Yonhap |
Korea's Defense Minister Suh Wook met his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart Mohammad Ahmed Al Bowardi in Seoul on Friday to discuss arms industry cooperation and other issues, his ministry said.
Their meeting came two months after the UAE signed a preliminary deal to purchase Korea's mid-range surface-to-air missile system (M-SAM).
Suh expressed gratitude to the UAE minister of state for defense for the import decision, saying Korea will continue helping the UAE military obtain related operational capabilities.
The M-SAM system, called Cheongung II, is a core element of Korea's multi-layered anti-missile program.
Al Bowardi praised Korea's defense industry capabilities, reaffirming arms industry cooperation as a top priority in the two countries' special strategic partnership.
The two sides also shared their assessments on the regional and security environment, with Al Bowardi expressing support for Korea's endeavors for denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
After the talks, they visited the Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, as the UAE expressed interest in Korea's T-50 trainer jet, KF-21 fighter, light-armed helicopter and next-generation helicopter satellite system.
The two countries have held annual defense ministerial talks since 2011. Suh visited the UAE last year. (Yonhap)