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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Libyan military delegation tours S. Korean defense firms

LONDON — A Libyan Defense Ministry delegation has concluded its first visit to Seoul in an effort that could pave the way for cooperation and arms sales. The 11-member Libyan delegation spent a week in South Korea in late March and toured bases and defense firms.

"The visit was to check the possibility of military cooperation between the two nations, which is still at a very early stage to be discussed in public," a South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman said on April 13.

The Libyan delegation, the first to South Korea since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1980, was said to have been led by a two-star general in charge of procurement. The source said the delegation met senior South Korean officials and toured 10 defense companies.

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"The Libyan delegation apparently sought cooperation with Korea in the defense industry," an industry source in Seoul said. "I understand that since it normalized relations with the United States, Libya has been seeking to purchase weapons from various countries."

Industry sources said Libya was briefed on South Korea's new XK-2 main battle tank, KT-1 basic trainer, and T-50 advanced jet trainer. They said Libya has sought Western, particularly U.S.-origin platforms, but was prevented from direct military purchases from Washington.

The South Korean Defense Ministry said the Libyan delegation was in Seoul from March 20 to March 27. In 1999, Libya and South Korea, which maintained low-level military ties since 1984, signed an accord for science and technology cooperation.

"We reckon that the Libyan delegation knew about the competitiveness of our defense goods compared with those of other advanced countries while visiting defense products manufacturers," another industry source said. "The Libyan delegation initially appeared to think that South Korea is the only country that makes electronic products."



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