President Lee: "Korean companies expected to contribute to Poland’s economic growth"... Tusk calls Korea "a trustworthy partner"

According to The Financial News, President Lee Jae Myung said at an official luncheon with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the 13th, "I hope Korean companies will contribute to Poland’s economic growth." In response, Tusk described Korea as "a trustworthy and responsible partner."
In his welcome remarks at the official luncheon held in the Chungmu Room of the main building of Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee said, "The cooperative relationship between our two countries, built on deep friendship, is evolving into strategic cooperation in areas such as defense and infrastructure amid an uncertain global environment." He continued, "The Republic of Korea’s advanced weapons systems are becoming Poland’s weapons and are now reaching out to the larger stage of the European market." He added, "I hope defense cooperation between our two countries will help strengthen Poland’s defense capabilities and the competitiveness of its defense industry, and I also hope Korean companies will contribute to Poland’s economic development."
President Lee also pointed to shared historical experiences and democratic values as a common foundation of bilateral ties. "Poland and Korea have a lot in common," he said, citing their histories of lost sovereignty and their experiences with democratization. "Most importantly," he noted, "both the prime minister and I are democrats who have fought for democracy and are putting it into practice."
Prime Minister Tusk, in his response, emphasized his trust in Korea. "For many years, the Republic of Korea has been one of Poland’s most important partner countries, not only in East Asia but also globally," he stated. "In these turbulent international circumstances, it is a great honor and joy for me that we can count on a partner like the Republic of Korea—trustworthy, responsible, and genuinely close to us," he added.
Tusk also said that relations between the two countries rest on deep trust and friendship. He recalled that Poland took in 1,500 Korean War orphans during the Korean War, highlighting the long-standing ties between the two nations. "We can move toward the future together," he said, "not only because we share common interests, but also because we share the same values."
The luncheon also featured a lighthearted joke from Tusk. "I don’t think there has ever been any unfortunate incident between Poland and the Republic of Korea so far, with just one exception," he remarked. "That was when the Korean team beat the Polish team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, knocking Poland out of the tournament," he said, drawing laughter. He then added, "I am now trying to forget about that."
Tusk went on to say to President Lee, "I hope we can meet next time in Warsaw," effectively extending an invitation for him to visit Poland.
Also present at the luncheon were Wi Sung-lac, Director of the Office of National Security; Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Joon-Kyung Ha, Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Growth. From the business community, attendees included Yongbae Lee, CEO of Hyundai Rotem; Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems; Kim Jong-chul, CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI); Han Man-hee, President of the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK); and Ryu Jae-cheol, President of the Home Appliance Division at LG Electronics.

west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter