President Lee Jae Myung's chief of staff has departed on a trip as a presidential envoy for strategic economic cooperation, Cheong Wa Dae announced on Monday. The move is widely seen as aimed at boosting South Korea's defense exports. Kang Hoon-sik focused on expanding defense cooperation during previous visits.
President Lee Jae Myung's chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, departed the country on Sunday, Cheong Wa Dae announced on Monday, December 29, 2025. The destination and itinerary were not disclosed, with details to be released later. The trip is part of efforts to position South Korea as one of the world's four largest arms exporters.
Kang was appointed as Lee's special envoy in October. He visited Poland, Romania, and Norway that month, focusing on expanding defense industry cooperation and supporting Korean companies in securing overseas contracts. In November, he traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia for similar purposes.
The presidential office stated that Kang plans to undertake three more such missions through the first half of next year. These initiatives aim to strengthen Korea's defense sector and foster international partnerships for economic gains. Kang spoke to reporters at Incheon International Airport before a previous departure in November.
