Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-Back on Feb. 8 looks at an item displayed at an exhibition booth of a Korean defense contractor at the World Defense Exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Ministry of National Defense)

By Kim Seon Ah

Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-Back and Saudi Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman Al Saud on Feb. 8 held talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bilateral cooperation in defense research and development between Korea's Agency for Defense Development and the Arab country's Prince Sultan Defense Studies and Research Center.

Held on the occasion of the third Saudi World Defense Show in Riyadh, the meeting saw Minister Ahn stressing Korea as a key partner in Saudi Vision 2030 and suggesting expanding mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperation in defense and the defense industry. He also asked Minister Khalid to visit Korea this year.

The Saudi official said both sides have a "future-oriented strategic partnership" and that he hopes Korean technological know-how and experience will help boost his country's defense capabilities.

The two ministers hailed the signing of the MOU as laying the basis for joint cooperation in research and development and defense technology.

sofiakim218@korea.kr