[EXCLUSIVE] Korean K9s integral to Estonian defense

Estonia's President Alar Karis, during his visit to Korea, discussed the need for faster procurement of K9 howitzers to enhance the country's defense capabilities.

Estonian President Alar Karis speaks with the Korea JoongAng Daily and the JoongAng Ilbo at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul on Friday. [PARK SANG-MOON]

Estonia would like a speedier procurement of K9 howitzers from Korea, President Alar Karis said in an exclusive interview in Seoul on Friday.

“To be properly prepared for any kind of attack, we need the K9s as part of our army equipment,” Karis said while sitting down with the Korea JoongAng Daily and the JoongAng Ilbo during his three-day visit to the Asian country.

Estonia bought a dozen K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers from Korea earlier this year to complement the 24 pieces it had previously purchased. The units are expected to arrive in Estonia by 2026.

“I hope that we can get these K9s earlier rather than later,” he said, adding that much of Estonia’s existing artillery was donated to Ukraine for its war with Russia.

Cooperation with Korea in defense and cyber technology loomed large in what was the first Estonian presidential visit since the Baltic nation opened its embassy in Seoul in 2020.

K9 Thunder [YONHAP]

“It’s important to be collaborating against cyber war, something that Estonia experienced already during the attack in 2007,” Karis said, referring to the series of cyberattacks that targeted the Estonian government. Some of the attacks were later found to have been staged from Russia.

More recently, Estonian company CoinsPaid was reportedly hacked by the North Korean Lazarus Group and lost nearly $40 million.

“The political situation in Europe, the war in Ukraine, what’s happened in Israel and the specifics in relation to North Korea" were all part of the discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul last Thursday, Karis said.

The two leaders also agreed to boost people-to-people and business ties by way of direct flights between Estonia and Korea, and the opening of the Korean Embassy in the capital, Tallinn.

The business delegation that Karis led also clinched energy deals.

Meeting with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won in Seoul on Friday, Karis and his delegation presided the signing of an investment agreement between SK Square and Estonian Business and Innovation Agency.

"SK Square plans to invest in SmartCap's investments in innovative companies in the ICT [information and communication technologies], environment and energy fields," SK Group said in its statement Sunday. SmartCap is affiliated with Estonian Business and Innovation Agency.

Elcogen, an Estonian fuel cell parts supplier, also signed a contract with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), which will see the shipbuilder invest 45 million euros ($47.7 million) in the Estonian company to develop large-capacity solid oxide fuel cell systems, a next-generation environmentally friendly energy source.

SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, right, speaks with Estonian President Alar Karis, left, at the SK headquarters in Seoul on Friday. [SK GROUP]

Estonia, a NATO member with a living memory of its occupation by the Soviet Union, has been diversifying its energy sources since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“We are not dependent on Russia,” he said, adding that most of Estonia’s energy sources today are met via its liquefied natural gas terminal, and other sources including wind, solar and biomass.

Karis, also an internationally renowned molecular geneticist and once rector of the oldest university in Estonia, met with the students at Sungkyunkwan University, the oldest university in Korea.

Asked questions ranging from the situation in Ukraine and cyber threats from Russia and North Korea to recent NATO dynamics and discord at the UN Security Council in the classroom on Friday, Karis fit right into the academic environment.

“I was very impressed with how well prepared the students were,” he said. “Dedication to education is important, something that both Estonia and Korea, of the top ranking in PISA [Programme for International Student Assessment], value.”

The following are edited excerpts of the interview.

Karis speaks with Choi Ji-young, executive editor of the Korea JoongAng Daily, center right, and Estonian Ambassador to Korea Sten Schwede, second from left, at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul on Friday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE OF ESTONIA]

Q. What were some highlights from your conversation with Yoon?

A. We discussed a number of things: the political situation in Europe, the war in Ukraine, what’s happening in Israel, the situation in this region and relations with North Korea. We also discussed the purpose of my visit, which was not only to open the embassy at its new premises, but also for business relations between Estonia and Korea. The leaders of the Korean businesses and Estonian businesses are all keen on cooperation. We also signed an agreement on air service to open a direct flight between Estonia and Korea, and discussed the opening of the Korean embassy [in Estonia] as soon as possible. [The Korean Embassy in Finland currently operates Korea’s diplomatic mission to Estonia.] And of course, we discussed Korea’s bid for the World Expo.

Estonia bought 12 more K9 Thunders from Korea this year. What’s behind that decision? This question is a simple one — because they are extremely good. I do hope that Korea is able to speed up so we can get these K9s earlier rather than later. This is important for our defense because we provided our old ones to Ukraine. To be properly prepared for any kind of attack, we need these K9s as part of our army equipment.

Per capita, Estonia has provided the largest military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. How sustainable is this level of commitment from Estonia? We give assistance to Ukraine because we want to end this horrible war, which is not only war against Ukraine but against humanity. We will give assistance as long as it is needed, something that many Estonians agree to. It may be a slow process, but we have also started rebuilding Ukraine, not waiting for the war to be over. We built a new kindergarten in Ukraine recently. Also, 1 percent of our population is Ukrainian today — that means we give shelter to the refugees, opportunities for education and jobs. We need to do this, not only to be an example to the world, but also because we have been in same situation ourselves. When World War II ended, our people had to flee to different parts of the world. Korea is also helping Ukraine, and we’re very grateful for that.

When do you anticipate the war to be over? If it were up to me, I would end it tomorrow, of course. I was in Ukraine several times during this war. I have seen the atrocities and the crimes against the people of Ukraine. Those who committed the crime should be held accountable. It is up to Ukraine and Putin to decide when it’s over.

There appears to be a crack in the European alliance for Ukraine, visible in the dispute between Poland and Ukraine. Are you concerned? The two countries are dealing with the issue now, they are already on the way to solving the issue.

Where is Estonia on its timeline to cut off its energy supply from Russia? We are not dependent on Russia. Now we have our LNG terminal, and we have resources in our neighboring storages, so we are quite safe as far as the supply of gas is concerned. On electricity, we are diversifying our sources. We are building onshore and offshore wind farms, as well as solar energy and biomass facilities.

Estonia is known worldwide for its digital policies. How do you envision Estonia and Korea cooperating in this sector? Both Estonia and Korea are strong in digital, so we can share our experiences. AI is the new revenue of the world, some people say, and I am personally in favor of using this technology rather than fighting against it. When I was in genetic engineering, there was once a lot of talk and concerns raised about cloning. People are afraid when there’s uncertainty. But we should be prepared for these developments, by collaborating and educating.

You taught at and once headed the oldest university in Estonia. Today you met with the students of the oldest university in Korea. What was your impression? I was really impressed with how well prepared the students were. I’ve seen students in different universities across different countries and also in Estonia, and those I met today were very good students, unafraid to ask the tough questions. Many knew Estonia’s history well and were even able to speak Estonian with very good pronunciation, I was surprised. I am glad to have had this opportunity to meet the young scholars here, especially as both Estonia and Korea place a high value on education.

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]