UAE First State Visit, First Since Diplomatic Relations Established
Attended Economic and Energy Events Beyond Nuclear Power... "Leap in Relations"
Economic Delegation of 100 Companies Accompanies
First Davos Schedule Includes Lunch with Domestic and International CEOs
'Korea Night' Event for Busan Expo Bid
Special Speech to Propose International Cooperation and Solidarity
[Asia Economy Reporters Ki-min Lee and Kyung-hwan Bae] President Yoon Suk-yeol will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Switzerland for 6 nights and 8 days starting from the 14th. As President Yoon's first overseas trip of the new year, the Presidential Office plans to showcase diplomatic capabilities focusing on the economic sector, extending to sales and public sectors.
Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, and Choi Sang-mok, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 10th, stating, "President Yoon will make a state visit to the UAE from the 14th to the 17th upon the invitation of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and will attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, also known as the Davos Forum, held in Davos, Switzerland on the 18th and 19th."
First-ever Korean Presidential State Visit to UAE... Over 100 Domestic Companies Accompany as Economic Delegation
President Yoon's visit to the UAE is by invitation from UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking the first state visit by a Korean head of state to the UAE since diplomatic relations were established in 1980. The Presidential Office explained, "President Yoon's inaugural state visit to the UAE reflects the mutual expectation of both countries to elevate the special strategic partnership between Korea and the UAE to a higher level."
Director Kim stated, "Although there have been about 14 reciprocal visits between the two countries' leaders so far, neither side has had a visit by the people's leader," emphasizing the significance of Korea's first presidential state visit to the UAE. President Yoon is scheduled to hold a summit with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, attend a state luncheon, visit the Al Dhafra Air Base and Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, and participate in economic and energy-related events in the UAE.
The reason President Yoon chose the UAE as his first destination this year and the first visit to the Middle East is his diplomatic focus on revitalizing the economy and expanding exports. Director Kim said, "Through this visit, we will significantly strengthen strategic cooperation with our brotherly nation UAE in four core areas: nuclear power, energy, investment, and defense industry," adding, "We expect the scope and depth of cooperation to expand further through multiple agreements."
A Presidential Office official emphasized President Yoon's visit to the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant as "a project symbolic of nuclear cooperation," noting, "Although there were ups and downs during the previous administration, this is a very important opportunity to normalize and simultaneously upgrade nuclear cooperation between the two countries."
An economic delegation composed of over 100 Korean companies will also accompany the president. This is a measure to comprehensively support Korean companies' entry into the UAE market. Cooperation plans with the UAE Sovereign Wealth Fund are also expected to be discussed during this process.
This economic delegation was formed on a private sector-led basis. About 70% of the participating companies are mid-sized enterprises. In addition to traditional cooperation sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and construction, companies from promising fields of economic cooperation between the two countries, including defense industry, game content, smart farms, tourism services, and consumer goods, are also included.
Earlier, President Yoon and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who both took office around the same time in May last year, confirmed their intention to develop bilateral relations through special envoy dispatches and exchange of letters. The Presidential Office added, "This time, by meeting directly and having in-depth conversations, they will build a strong trust relationship, which will be a very valuable asset for strengthening bilateral relations going forward."
Yoon Engages in Comprehensive Diplomacy at Davos Including Luncheon with Domestic and Foreign CEOs, Special Speech, and 2030 Busan Expo Bid
President Yoon will arrive in Zurich, Switzerland on the 17th to attend a gathering with overseas Koreans, and on the following day, the 18th, he will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF, Davos Forum) held in Davos. Taking advantage of this forum, President Yoon will carry out various diplomatic schedules in economic security, sales, and public sectors, including attracting investments from global companies, promoting the 2030 Busan Expo bid, and dialogues with scientific scholars.
From the first event of the Davos Forum on the 18th, President Yoon is set to engage in active sales diplomacy. A luncheon meeting with CEOs of major global companies both domestic and international is planned.
Senior Secretary Choi introduced, "President Yoon plans to have lunch with key CEOs attending the Davos Forum to discuss government and private sector cooperation strategies to overcome complex crises and achieve sustainable growth, introduce market-driven economic policy directions, and discuss investment cooperation in Korea."
"Attendees will include Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Eui-sun, LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin, and Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan," he said, "while globally renowned CEOs from Intel, IBM, Qualcomm, JP Morgan, and others will also participate."
At the second event, the 'Korea Night' event, President Yoon will promote the 'Busan Initiative,' a tailored international cooperation program, to influential figures gathered in Davos to support the bid for the 2030 Busan Expo, while also promoting Korean culture.
On the second day of the Davos Forum, the 19th, President Yoon will deliver a special speech on the stage, addressing the direction of international cooperation to overcome the global economic crisis. Director Kim explained, "He will present international cooperation and solidarity for strengthening supply chains, transitioning to clean energy, and establishing a digital order, imprinting Korea's leading role and commitment on the international community."
As the final schedule, President Yoon will visit the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich to exchange views with scholars on quantum technology. The Zurich Federal Institute of Technology is one of Europe's top three physics research institutions, having produced world-renowned scientists such as Albert Einstein.
Senior Secretary Choi introduced, "Quantum technology, which can dramatically increase computational speed compared to supercomputers, is a game-changer bringing innovation to all industries and security. Competition among the United States, European Union (EU), Japan, and China to secure this technology is accelerating," adding, "Through this visit, we will exchange opinions on the success factors that made Switzerland a quantum technology powerhouse and strategies that Korea, as a latecomer, should adopt, and establish a human network between scientists of both countries."
When asked by reporters about the possibility of bilateral talks between heads of state at the Davos Forum, a senior official from the Presidential Office responded, "(The Davos Forum) is not a venue for bilateral or multilateral summit meetings," adding, "They can naturally meet and have informal talks while coming and going. Such meetings will occur in a very natural atmosphere."
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