# Finland and South Korea sign defence quality assurance MoU

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou
- Published: 2026-09-22
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Section: Industry · Country: finland
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/finland-and-south-korea-sign-defence-quality-assurance-mou.md)
- Primary source: https://defmin.fi/en/-/minister-of-defence-hakkanen-finland-and-south-korea-have-signed-a-memorandum-of-understanding-on-quality-assurance-in-the-defence-materiel-sector#f0b7371c
- Tags: finland, south korea, mou, quality assurance, antti häkkänen, jaewoong lee, iceye, seoul, defence agency for technology and quality, ministry of defence finland, seoul national university, k9, k9 howitzer, finnish ministry of defence

> Finland and South Korea signed an agreement on 11 September 2026 on mutual recognition of quality assurance for defence materiel, a continuation of Finland's long-running purchases of K9 howitzers from South Korea. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen says the agreement opens the way for deeper procurement cooperation between the two countries.

![Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and President of South Korea's Defence Agency for Technology and Quality Shin Sangbum signing the MoU](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/5f23cf54-1a9b-4796-048c-4f07ff5eab00/public)
*Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and President of South Korea's Defence Agency for Technology and Quality Shin Sangbum signing the MoU · Finnish Ministry of Defence*

**South Korea's Defence Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) and Finland's Ministry of Defence [signed](https://defmin.fi/en/-/minister-of-defence-hakkanen-finland-and-south-korea-have-signed-a-memorandum-of-understanding-on-quality-assurance-in-the-defence-materiel-sector#f0b7371c) a government quality assurance memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Helsinki on 11 September 2026, the Korean embassy in Finland said.**

Under the agreement, the government of the exporting country will carry out quality assurance on defence goods traded between the two states on behalf of the importing government. Both sides will mutually recognise the results.

The MoU follows other recent defence-industrial engagement between the two countries: Finnish satellite company ICEYE [set up](https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/iceye-establishes-company-in-three-countries) a South Korean subsidiary in June 2026 and signed a memorandum with Seoul National University on joint research, previously reported on by NDS.

DTaQ President Shin Sangbum travelled to Finland to sign the MoU. South Korean Ambassador Jaewoong Lee [attended](https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/fi-en/brd/m_9570/view.do?seq=760610) the ceremony. He had [met Shin](https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/fi-en/brd/m_9570/view.do?seq=760609) the day before to discuss the agreement and broader Korea-Finland defence-industry cooperation.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen [said](https://defmin.fi/en/-/minister-of-defence-hakkanen-finland-and-south-korea-have-signed-a-memorandum-of-understanding-on-quality-assurance-in-the-defence-materiel-sector#f0b7371c) the MoU derives from Finland's purchase of K9 armoured howitzers from South Korea and helps "guarantee the quality of technological development in the defence materiel sector." Democratic countries "must work together to strengthen our ability to counter the threat posed by authoritarian regimes," he said.

Finland has bought K9 howitzers from South Korea since 2017. In April 2026 it [signed](https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/finland-purchases-more-k9-howitzers-from-south-korea) a €546.8 million follow-up contract for 112 more K9 units, bringing its total order past 200 vehicles, also reported on by NDS.

## FAQ

**What does the Finland-South Korea defence quality assurance MoU cover?**

The MoU covers government quality assurance on defence goods traded between Finland and South Korea. Under the agreement, the exporting country's government performs quality assurance on behalf of the importing government, and both sides mutually recognise the results, easing defence-industrial trade. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-22.

**When and where was the Finland-South Korea MoU signed, and who signed it?**

The MoU was signed at the House of Estates in Helsinki on 11 September 2026. DTaQ President Shin Sangbum signed for South Korea, alongside Finland's Ministry of Defence, with Ambassador Jaewoong Lee and Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen involved in the ceremony. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-22.

**Why did Finland sign this quality assurance agreement with South Korea?**

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the MoU derives from Finland's purchase of K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea. He noted it creates opportunities for deeper procurement cooperation and helps guarantee quality of technological development in the defence materiel sector. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-22.

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