Al-Sudani meets South Korean ambassador to discuss expanding cooperation

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met Wednesday with South Korean Ambassador to Iraq Lee Jun-il to discuss bilateral relations and ways to expand cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement from the prime minister’s media office.

The statement said the meeting reviewed relations between Iraq and South Korea and explored “ways to develop bilateral cooperation across various fields, advancing it toward broader horizons that serve the mutual interests of both friendly nations and peoples.”

Al-Sudani stressed the importance of strengthening joint action to expand cooperation in several sectors, particularly investment, energy, education and technology.

He also emphasized Iraq’s interest in working with South Korean companies, noting the government’s keenness “to cooperate with and benefit from the work and expertise of South Korean companies operating across the country,” the statement said.

Iraq signed a deal with South Korea to receive a new air defense system. The South Korean KM-SAM air defense system, also known as “Cheongung,” is designed to intercept aircraft and ballistic missiles. Calls to strengthen Iraq’s defenses grew after June’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran, when both sides used Iraqi airspace. Iraq later lodged a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, accusing Israel of violating its sovereignty.

In October 2025, Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari announced that Iraq has received two firefighting and rescue helicopters from South Korea for deployment in Baghdad. Iraq finalized a helicopter deal in May, as part of an agreement with Korea Aerospace Industries to enhance its civil defense and emergency capabilities.