Zagreb - The procurement of 18 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers is a tangible result of Croatian-South Korean cooperation and friendly relations, Sabor Speaker Gordan Jandroković said at a news conference with his South Korean counterpart in Zagreb on Friday.
Croatia last month signed contracts with South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace to acquire 18 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.
The deal is worth €435.2 million excluding VAT, with deliveries scheduled by 2029. Norway, Estonia and Poland have also acquired the systems, with Poland producing rockets for them.
Speaking at a news conference in Zagreb alongside South Korean National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik, Jandroković described bilateral relations as excellent, with no outstanding issues, and said both countries were keen to deepen their partnership across areas of mutual interest.
Economic ties were growing, he said, highlighting opportunities for further cooperation in high technology, energy and defence.
A memorandum of understanding between the Croatian and South Korean defence ministries was also signed at the government headquarters in September, which Jandroković described as "very important".
Defence cooperation a new pillar of bilateral ties
Cho said growing defence cooperation demonstrated the level of trust developing between our countries, describing it as a new pillar of bilateral relations.
Although geographically distant, the two countries shared many values that enabled them to understand each other, he said.
Both countries have experienced the scars of war and national hardship, defended freedom and democracy, and achieved economic development and national renewal, Cho said.
Both Croatia and South Korea had also grown by connecting with the world through maritime trade, he added, describing South Korea as a gateway linking Northeast Asia with the Pacific and Croatia as a hub connecting Central and Southeast Europe with the Mediterranean.
In a joint statement by their prime ministers in October 2023, Croatia and South Korea elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive future-oriented partnership, with a focus on closer economic and security cooperation, the green transition, sustainable development, science and technology, cultural and educational exchange, and people-to-people ties.
Croatia as a potential gateway to European markets
Cho called on the two countries' parliaments to support the implementation of their important partnership and help translate it into tangible results for their people.
He identified Rijeka as a potential area for cooperation, highlighting its rail and port infrastructure, while describing the LNG terminal on Krk island as giving Croatia a strategic position.
South Korea is highly competitive in shipbuilding, the automotive industry and high technology, while Croatia’s strategic location could serve as a gateway to European markets. By combining our strengths, we could build a very successful partnership,” the South Korean parliamentary speaker said.
Cho, on his first official visit to Croatia, also noted that Croatia was a popular tourist destination in South Korea, but said bilateral ties should extend beyond tourism.
Jandroković said Cho had invited him to visit South Korea, an invitation he had gladly accepted.