Yoon, Korea-UAE Summit... Discuss Economic Cooperation Including Nuclear Power and Defense Industry

Likely to Discuss Elevating to a 'Special Strategic Partnership'... Yoon: "Our Core Partner Nation"

[Abu Dhabi=Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the 15th (local time), the second day of President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he will hold expanded and bilateral talks with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It is expected that concrete outcomes strengthening cooperation in nuclear power, defense industry, infrastructure construction, and investment sectors will emerge through the talks.

On the same day in Abu Dhabi, President Yoon will hold consecutive meetings with President Mohammed to discuss elevating the relationship to a "special strategic partnership." Before departing on the 14th, President Yoon stated on Facebook, "The UAE is our key partner in nuclear power, energy, investment, and defense industries," adding, "Through economic-centered summit diplomacy, we will create an opportunity to overcome complex crises with exports and investment."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee arrived at Abu Dhabi Royal Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 14th (local time), disembarked from Air Force One, and are greeting and moving.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

This is the first time since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1980 that a Korean head of state has visited the UAE in the form of a state visit with the highest protocol honors. The Blue House explained, "President Yoon's first state visit to the UAE reflects the mutual expectation to elevate the special strategic partnership between Korea and the UAE to a higher level."

The reason President Yoon chose the UAE as his first overseas trip of the year and the first visit to the Middle East region is also focused on economic revitalization and export expansion in our diplomacy. The Blue House added, "Through this visit, we will significantly strengthen strategic cooperation with our brotherly nation, the UAE, in four core areas: nuclear power, energy, investment, and defense," and "the scope and depth of cooperation will be further expanded through multiple agreements."

President Yoon will stay in the UAE until the 17th, visiting the Ark Unit, a symbol of 'Korea-UAE military cooperation,' to encourage Korean troops, and also visiting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, an overseas nuclear power plant contracted by Korea. In addition, he is expected to present an economic cooperation vision through a business forum involving companies from both countries.

At a Korean community meeting the previous evening, President Yoon emphasized, "The UAE, preparing for the post-oil era, is the optimal partner," and stated, "I will use this state visit as a stepping stone for a groundbreaking leap toward future joint prosperity."