Singaporean defense minister due in Seoul for talks

SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- Singapore's Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean was set to arrive here later Monday for talks with his South Korean counterpart that will include discussions on various regional and international security issues, the Defense Ministry said.

Teo and his South Korean counterpart Lee Sang-hee will hold their official talks
Thursday, it said.
"The ministers will exchange their views on various security issues in the
Northeast and Southeast Asian regions and discuss ways to increase defense
exchange and cooperation between their countries," the ministry said in a press
release.
The Lee-Teo meeting comes amid Seoul's efforts to boost its defense exports to
the Southeast Asian nation.
The country is currently competing against an Italian aircraft manufacturer to
win a US$500 million contract to supply Singapore with supersonic training jets.
South Korea's T-50 was shortlisted last month as one of two finalists in the bid
to supply 12 to 15 training jets to Singapore.
"We believe the upcoming defense ministerial talks will help increase the mutual
understanding of the two countries on regional security issues while also
providing an opportunity to further develop the future-oriented exchange and
cooperation between their militaries," the ministry said.
The Singapore minister comes at an official invitation from his South Korean
counterpart. He will visit South Korea's Navy Command Headquarters and other
military commands before leaving on Friday, according to the ministry.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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