The pan-government and public-private defense cooperation delegation, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), announced that they visited Chile and Brazil from April 6 to 10 to conduct K-defense sales activities.
The delegation established a robust public-private cooperation system, featuring representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DAPA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Korea Defense Industry Association, and the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, alongside major defense companies including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hanwha Ocean, Korean Air, Poongsan, and Hyundai Corporation.
During the mission, the delegation focused on promoting the competitiveness of the Korean defense industry and its flagship weapon systems by attending FIDAE 2026—the largest defense and aerospace exhibition in Latin America—as well as hosting K-Defense Forums and holding meetings with key defense officials.
In Chile, the delegation strengthened networks with local and regional defense officials by attending the FIDAE exhibition, where a Korean Pavilion was established, and a defense promotion reception. They also discussed market trends and export expansion strategies through the Latin American Defense Export Consultative Group and corporate briefings. Furthermore, they met with high-ranking Chilean defense officials to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation.
In Brazil, the delegation met with senior defense officials and held a K-Defense Forum to explore potential areas of cooperation. Following the elevation of bilateral ties to a "Strategic Partnership" during a summit this past February, this visit served as a catalyst to further strengthen defense cooperation between the two nations.
Kim Jin-hae, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Representative to CARICOM, stated, "This delegation's activities have laid the groundwork for the government and private sector to jointly promote the excellence of K-defense and expand the export market throughout Latin America."
Park Min-joo, Director of the Asia and Latin America Cooperation Division at DAPA, added, "This mission is highly significant as it strengthened the public-private partnership through pan-government cooperation and established a foundation for mutually beneficial defense cooperation with Latin American countries."
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