Korea's Chunmoo Becomes Norway's Gungnir

Norway may be geographically distant, but it is an allied nation with precious ties dating back to the Korean War. Norway dispatched 623 medical personnel to Korea, establishing the Norwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (NORMASH) and treating approximately 90,000 wounded soldiers and civilians. This noble connection led to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1959. Both nations, surrounded by sea on three sides, have developed strong cooperative relations centered on shipbuilding, maritime industries, and fisheries. Recently, cooperation has expanded further into defense, renewable energy, and Arctic affairs.

Norway was also one of the founding members of NATO in 1949. Situated at Europe's northernmost point, Norway has served as NATO's eyes, safeguarding Arctic security. In 2024, the Norwegian government established a 12-year Long-Term Defense Plan (2025-2036). More than two years after the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Norway determined that the security landscape faced its greatest threat since World War II and decided on comprehensive defense strengthening. One component of the army modernization and combat capability reinforcement was the introduction of a long-range precision strike system. This was the background for the Norwegian government's decision to adopt Hanwha Aerospace's Korean multiple launch rocket system, Chunmoo (K-239). The Chunmoo contract (approximately 1.3 trillion won) signed between the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) and Hanwha in Oslo at the end of January this year represents a major achievement of joint public-private efforts by Korean companies and the government, amid the trend of strengthening defense cooperation among NATO members in Europe following the Ukraine war.

The contract win was not without challenges. Around last fall, movements were detected of a competitor conducting extensive negotiations targeting the Norwegian government and political circles. When it became urgent to demonstrate our government's commitment to cooperation, Presidential Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation Kang Hoon-sik made a surprise visit to Norway at the end of October. This was followed by a Korea-Norway defense ministers' meeting in Oslo at the end of November and a Korea-Norway foreign ministers' meeting in Seoul in mid-December. When the Ministry of Defense's long-range precision strike system budget was submitted to the Norwegian parliament at the end of December, a Korean National Assembly delegation visiting Oslo also contributed to communication with parliament.

This Chunmoo contract is particularly meaningful in that it extends the friendship and trust built between the two nations over 75 years since the Korean War into cutting-edge defense cooperation across generations. It is also significant that Norway—which has pursued strategic defense cooperation with major NATO members including the United States (fighter jets), Germany (main battle tanks, submarines), and the United Kingdom (frigates)—made its largest-ever army asset purchase from a Korean company. Following the K9 self-propelled howitzer contract in 2017, the Chunmoo deal has established Korea as a core defense and security partner for Norway alongside major nations such as the United States and Germany. Building on this valuable achievement, both nations should develop mutually beneficial and complementary defense cooperation while enhancing partnership across all sectors.

In Norway, Chunmoo will receive a new name: "Gungnir," derived from Viking terminology. Gungnir is the magical spear wielded by Odin, the supreme deity in Norse mythology, said to never miss its target once thrown, symbolizing authority and precision. I look forward to Hanwha delivering Chunmoo excellently by 2029, contributing to security and a stable future in Norway and the Arctic region.