Yoon "Feeling the Reality of International Politics More Clearly"... Confirming Growth Engines like Nuclear Power, Green Technology, Semiconductors, and Next-Generation Batteries
[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] After completing the 3-night, 5-day schedule of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, President Yoon Seok-yeol, who returned to Korea on the 1st, confided to his aides, "Meeting heads of state from various countries in person made me realize the reality of international politics even more." President Yoon, who confirmed future growth engines through this trip, was reportedly moved to tears while seeing compatriots longing for their homeland at a gathering with Korean residents in Spain.
On the 3rd, the Presidential Office shared behind-the-scenes stories of President Yoon’s trip after attending the NATO summit on the 28th and 29th of last month (local time). Spokesperson Kang In-sun explained that President Yoon met nearly 30 heads of state through bilateral talks and alliance and partner country summits at NATO, saying, "Most of the leaders expressed their desire to meet President Yoon again and asked him to visit their countries as soon as possible, and President Yoon also invited them to visit Korea."
In particular, Eastern and Northern European countries evaluated Korea’s capabilities in nuclear power, green technology, semiconductors, and next-generation electric vehicle batteries as world-class and expressed their intention to cooperate with Korea in these fields. In response, President Yoon told his aides, "Through meetings with various heads of state, I realized anew that our country's future growth engines depend on these sectors," adding, "Although I had detailed knowledge of international issues through foreign media and reports from aides, meeting the leaders in person made me feel the reality of international politics even more deeply."
At the gathering with Korean residents in Spain, held for the first time in 15 years by a Korean president on site, President Yoon and his wife were moved to tears. When the 'Spain Millennium Choir,' led by Director Im Jae-sik, sang 'Barley Field,' 'Miryang Arirang,' and then 'Our Wish,' Director Im shed tears, and President Yoon and his wife, watching this, also became teary-eyed. Spokesperson Kang added, "The compatriots, who have lived abroad longing for their homeland, were deeply moved upon seeing President Yoon and his wife."
The compatriots expressed their gratitude, saying that no president had visited them in the past 15 years, and seeing the president and his wife shed tears with them gave them great strength and comfort. After the event, many compatriots requested photos with President Yoon and First Lady Kim Geon-hee, causing the departure time to be delayed. Leonor Ahn, the third daughter of the late Ahn Ik-tae, also attended the gathering. Leonor Ahn currently resides at the late Ahn Ik-tae’s residence and manages the memorial hall. This residence was purchased by Spanish-Korean businessman Kwon Young-ho and donated to the nation.
On the last day of the trip, during a luncheon with Spanish businesspeople, President Yoon told them, "I hope you cooperate with Korean companies and find many good opportunities by entering the Korean market," and added, "The government will do its best to ensure that Spanish companies’ investments in Korea become good opportunities." Spanish businesspeople also expressed plans to expand investments in Korea in fields such as renewable energy, environmental industries, and automotive parts, requesting special attention and support from the Korean government.
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