S. Korea seeks to expand arms sale to Philippines: official

SEOUL, June 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea offered to sell light-weight attack
aircraft, howitzers and other defense equipment to the Philippines when the
procurement officials of the two sides met in Seoul on Wednesday, a spokesman
here said.
South Korea has supplied arms, including naval boats and training aircraft, to
the Philippines since the early 1990's. The Seoul-based Defense Acquisition
Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement that it sought to sell KA-1
aircraft, 155-milimeter howitzers, trucks, night-vision goggles and other
equipment in its latest talks with its Philippine counterpart.
"The two sides discussed ways to further expand cooperation in the defense
industry," Kim Young-san, the spokesman, told reporters, adding the countries
reached a preliminary agreement to back such efforts.
During its five-day visit that began on Tuesday, the Philippine delegation led by
Lambert Sillona, Undersecretary for Defense Acquisition, will tour South Korean
defense firms, Kim said.
South Korea last year exported over $1 billion worth of defense items, the first
time it had surpassed that mark.
Seoul and Manila established diplomatic ties in 1949.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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