[Exclusive] President Moon Jae-in Plans Visit to UAE Next Month

President Im Jong-seok Seems to Have Rushed to Visit UAE for Preparations as a Presidential Special Envoy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min, Yang Nak-gyu] President Moon Jae-in is planning a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month. Former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok, who is the UAE Special Diplomatic Advisor, will visit the UAE as the head of the presidential special envoy team, a visit that was not originally scheduled, which appears to be a preparatory step for President Moon's visit.

According to government officials on the 19th, President Moon's visit to the UAE next month is intended to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries in political, economic, diplomatic, and defense sectors, as this year marks the 40th anniversary of Korea-UAE diplomatic relations and the UAE has declared this year as the "Year of Preparing for a New 50 Years."

In particular, since the first unit of the four Barakah nuclear reactors that Korea exported to the UAE is about to begin operation, President Moon's visit is also seen as a gesture to personally celebrate this milestone. KEPCO won the bid to construct the Barakah nuclear power plant in December 2009, competing against France, Japan, and others. The UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has approved the operating license for Barakah Unit 1, and it is expected to soon begin fuel loading, followed by commissioning and the start of commercial operation.

Following President Moon's official visit to the UAE in March 2018, the two countries elevated their relationship to a "Special Strategic Partnership." During this visit, President Moon is expected to seek cooperation not only in nuclear power but also in defense exports, energy, semiconductors, and other economic sectors.

Meanwhile, a Blue House official was reserved about the possibility of President Moon visiting the UAE in March, saying, "This is the first time I am hearing about it."