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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a luncheon honoring industrial contributors at the State Guest House of the Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on December 4. / Yonhap News

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone call since taking office with Romanian President Nicușor Daniel Dan on December 4, expressing hopes that Korean companies can contribute further to strengthening Romania’s defense capabilities.

According to presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-jun, Lee highlighted the significance of Korea’s earlier exports of the Chiron (Shingung) surface-to-air missile system and K9 self-propelled howitzers to Romania, saying these sales had “meaningfully contributed to Romania’s national defense.”

Lee also asked for continued support to ensure Korean companies remain involved in Romania’s new nuclear power plant project.

President Dan responded by voicing strong confidence in Korea’s defense industry, praising its “technological expertise and reliability,” and said he hoped defense cooperation between the two countries would continue to expand.

The two leaders noted the close cooperation already established across political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. They also agreed to seek further collaboration in port development and infrastructure projects.

Spokesperson Kim added that both leaders welcomed the steady, mutually beneficial progress in trade and investment, and agreed to work toward strengthening cultural and human exchanges, which they described as the foundation of bilateral ties.

He said the two presidents also agreed to meet in person at the earliest possible opportunity to continue discussions on expanding practical cooperation between the two nations.