Defense ministers from Korea and Finland have discussed ways to strengthen mutual ties across the defense environments of both countries.

Minister of National Defense Han Minkoo and Finnish Minister of Defense Jussi Niinisto held talks in Seoul on March 2, where the two sides agreed to join forces in the defense sector by further increasing human-to-human interactions and educational programs among military officials, and by vitalizing the defense industries in each country.

The Korean minister called on the Finnish administration to continue to cooperate with the international community on applying sanctions and pressure on the North Korean regime, as it has done over the past many years by issuing statements to denounce the regime’s ceaseless provocations after it carried out nuclear tests and launched ballistic missiles last year, and by working with the European Union to deal with the constant threats from the North.

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President of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency Kim Jae-hong (third from left), Finnish Minister of Defense Jussi Niinisto (fourth from right) and others pose for s photo after signing a government-to-government deal where Finland will purchase 48 K9 Thunder howitzers from Korea, in Seoul on March 2.

Following the talks, the Finnish minister went on to sign a deal to purchase Korea-made K9 Thunder howitzers from Korea. Under the agreement, worth about KRW 191.5 billion, a total of 48 K9 howitzers will be transferred to Finland by 2025.

By Kang Gahui, Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: KOTRA
kgh89@korea.kr