South Korea and Saudi Arabia are nearing the conclusion of discussions for extensive defense cooperation, covering sectors such as antiaircraft systems and firearms, according to South Korean first deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo during President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to the Middle Eastern nation. Kim described the weapons market in Saudi Arabia as “a blue ocean,” arguing the market provides a vast and untapped potential for Seoul to tap into. Kim highlighted that the collaborations are designed not as a one-off sale but to be “long-term and systematic,” aiming to strategically utilize South Korea’s advanced defense technology to bolster Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities. This aligns with South Korea’s record defense industry exports, which peaked at $17.3 billion the previous year, and Yoon’s plans to further increase defense exports in the coming years.

In their recent summit, Yoon and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also addressed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighting an urgent need to resolve the humanitarian crisis. Yoon, without providing firm commitments, stated that the ROK would “fulfill the role needed and contribute to regional stability and the restoration of peace” in the region. The summit ended with a joint statement in which the two leaders pledged their cooperation in multiple sectors and to establish a roadmap for future collaborations.