As Europe grapples with conflict on its eastern borders, South Korea’s arms industry has stepped up, challenging the established European defense industries.

However, this surge in South Korea’s arms exports is causing a stir in the European defense market. This development has elicited mixed reactions: while some industry players in Europe see room for a new entrant, others are concerned about the potential impact on their businesses, highlighting broader systemic issues within the continent’s defense sector.

Greta Monika Tuckute, Lithuania’s vice minister of defense, highlighted South Korea’s appeal at the Seoul Defense Talk on Oct. 18. She pointed out