{"id":2204244,"date":"2024-03-14T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T23:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204244"},"modified":"2024-03-13T15:12:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T06:12:57","slug":"south-korea-saudi-arabia-deepen-defense-ties-amid-regional-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/03\/south-korea-saudi-arabia-deepen-defense-ties-amid-regional-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea, Saudi Arabia deepen defense ties amid regional risks"},"content":{"rendered":"
Saudi Arabia\u2019s assistant minister of defense, Talal Abdullah Al-Otaibi, began a <\/span>three-day visit<\/span><\/a> to South Korea on Wednesday to observe the operation of advanced weapons systems by the ROK Navy and Air Force. Al-Otaibi reportedly plans to inspect the KF-21 fighter jet, the Cheongung M-SAM II ballistic missile interception system and the ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, a key naval asset of the South Korean three-axis system.<\/span><\/p>\n The visit follows South Korean defense minister Shin Won-sik\u2019s <\/span>trip to Saudi Arabia<\/span><\/a> last month, where he discussed strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and accelerating partnerships in the defense industry with the Saudi Minister of the National Guard, Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The February meeting culminated in the signing of a <\/span>memorandum of understanding<\/span><\/a> (MOU) to pave the way for cooperation in the defense industry and joint weapons development between the two countries.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n Al-Otaibi\u2019s visit to South Korea highlights the deepening defense ties between the two countries, particularly after the <\/span>$3.2 billion Cheongung M-SAM II missile deal<\/span><\/a> and the signing of an MOU to promote joint weapons development. This growing partnership aligns with South Korea\u2019s ambition to become the world\u2019s <\/span>fourth-largest arms exporter<\/span><\/a> by 2027 as it seeks to tap into the vast potential of the Saudi defense market.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>KF-21 fighter jet<\/span><\/a> could benefit from the growing partnership with Saudi Arabia. As Seoul seeks to bolster the jet\u2019s exports to achieve <\/span>economies of scale<\/span><\/a>, securing orders from Riyadh would provide a significant boost. A potential Saudi acquisition of the aircraft would pave the way for future sales and further cement the bilateral defense relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n However, as South Korea strengthens its defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, it must navigate potential challenges. Balancing its economic and defense objectives with ethical responsibilities will be crucial as it pursues its goal of becoming a \u201c<\/span>global pivotal state<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Additionally, the U.S., South Korea\u2019s principal ally, may view Seoul as a <\/span>growing competitor<\/span><\/a> amid the ROK\u2019s growing defense exports to the Middle East.<\/span><\/p>\n