This combo photo shows Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah (left) and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik. (PHOTOS / AP)

SEOUL - The defense ministers of South Korea and Qatar have agreed to expand joint military training and strengthen bilateral cooperation, Seoul's defense ministry said on Wednesday, amid a push by Seoul to boost global arms sales.

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik met his counterpart Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah in Qatar on Tuesday where they also signed an agreement to hold regular ministerial-level talks and establish a foundation for bilateral defense cooperation, the ministry said in a press release.

Shin embarked on a seven-day trip to the Middle East last week, during which he also traveled to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Defense Show.

ALSO READ: S. Korea, S. Arabia sign deal on defense cooperation

Shin's trip comes as South Korea seeks to become one of the world's largest arms suppliers.

Its arms sales jumped to $17 billion in 2022 from $7.25 billion the year before, data from the defense ministry showed.

The country's weapons exports to the Middle East grew nearly tenfold between 2013 and 2022, according to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

READ MORE: S.Korea defense minister heads to Middle East for talks, arms expo

Shin also met with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to the country in November, the ministry said.