(LEAD) S. Korea, Saudi Arabia agree to expand defense industry ties

▲ South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik (L) holds a meeting with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Khalid bin Salman Al Saud (R), on the sidelines of the World Defense Show in Riyadh on Feb. 4, 2024 (local time), in this photo provided by Shin's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik (L) and Saudi Arabian Minister of National Guard Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, pose for a photo ahead of their meeting in Riyadh on Feb. 4, 2024 (local time), in this photo provided by Shin's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Saudi Arabia-defense industry

(LEAD) S. Korea, Saudi Arabia agree to expand defense industry ties

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with defense ministerial meeting; ADDS photos)

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense chief met with Saudi Arabia's ministers of defense and national guard to discuss ways to bolster defense industry ties between the two countries, his office said Monday.

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik held separate meetings with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud and Minister of National Guard Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh on Sunday (local time) during his visit to the kingdom.

During the talks held on the sidelines of the World Defense Show, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense and the arms industry, the ministry said.

On the margins the defense exhibition, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Saudi defense ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pave the way for cooperation in the defense industry and joint weapons development.

Under the MOU, the two sides will launch a bilateral committee to jointly conduct research and development of weapons systems for continued cooperation in the defense industry, DAPA said.

Shin was on a three-nation trip to the Middle East, which took him to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He will arrive in Qatar on Monday for the final leg of his tour.

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