Poland becomes Korea's 5th-largest trade surplus source with defense purchases

A FA-50 light attack aircraft designated for export to Poland taxis at the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang, on Wednesday. [KOREA AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES]

Poland came in as Korea's fifth-largest source of trade surplus in the first four months this year, backed by the increased defense industry ties, trade data showed Sunday.

Korea posted a surplus of $2.71 billion in trading with Poland during the January-April period, following a surplus of $10.85 billion with the United States, $7.6 billion with Vietnam, $5.3 billion with Hong Kong, and $3.6 billion with India, according to data from the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

In the first four months, Korea shipped $255 million worth of K2 tanks and armored vehicles to Poland, exceeding $201 million worth of the same products exported to the country in 2022, KITA said.

Poland has paid about $460 million for the Korean K2 tanks.

Last year, Poland signed deals to purchase an estimated 20 trillion won ($15.5 billion) worth of K2 tanks from Hyundai Rotem, K9 self-propelled howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace and FA-50 light attackers from Korea Aerospace Industries, KITA said.

BY SOHN DONG-JOO, YONHAP [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]