South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed on Monday (April 13) to upgrade ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with the leaders placing defense cooperation at the center of the relationship.

The South Korean leader said that the partnership extended beyond arms sales to include joint production, technology transfers and training.

The two leaders also affirmed expanded cooperation across a wide range of fields, including energy supply chains, infrastructure, science and technology, advanced industries, space and people‑to‑people exchanges.

Lee said the two countries agreed on the importance of stabilizing global supply chains amid the war in the Middle East and would continue their cooperation. Tusk added that all countries must work together toward a new geopolitical order and lasting international peace.

Production: Jungmin Ryu, Minwoo Park/Reuters