South Korean parliamentary speaker discusses energy, defense with Croatian leaders

Key facts

• South Korean National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik met with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.
• The meetings aimed to enhance energy and defense cooperation between South Korea and Croatia.
• Cho's visit is part of a nine-day trip to Italy, Vatican City, Croatia, and Greece.
• Last month, Hanwha Aerospace secured a deal to export 18 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems to Croatia for about 640 billion won ($477 million).
• This marks the first major arms deal between the two countries.
• Croatia is the fourth European country to acquire the Chunmoo system.

SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik has engaged in discussions regarding energy and defense cooperation with top Croatian officials during his visit to the European nation. Cho met with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.

During his meeting with President Milanovic in Zagreb on Friday (local time), Cho highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries, which were established in 1992 and elevated to a comprehensive, future-oriented partnership in 2023. Cho is currently on a nine-day, four-nation tour of Italy, Vatican City, Croatia, and Greece.

Further discussions with Prime Minister Plenkovic focused on strengthening bilateral ties in economic, cultural, defense, and energy sectors. A recent significant development in defense cooperation is the arms deal signed last month between South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace and Croatia. The contract involves the export of 18 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Croatia for approximately 640 billion won (US$477 million). This marks the first major arms transaction between the two nations and opens avenues for broader partnership, including industrial cooperation and military logistics support. Croatia is now the fourth European country to procure the Chunmoo system, following Poland, Estonia, and Norway.