Wi Seong-rak, Chief of the National Security Office, briefs on the 14th
Signing a defense industry MOU in the UAE
Announcing the "Middle East Initiative" at Cairo University in Egypt
Discussing AI at the G20 Summit in South Africa
"Korea to ho
President Lee Jae-myung is answering reporters' questions after concluding his announcement regarding the Korea-US fact sheet agreement at the presidential office press conference hall in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee Jae-myung will embark on a seven-night, ten-day multilateral diplomatic tour from November 17 to 26. He will attend the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in South Africa and visit key partner countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and T?rkiye.
Wi Sung-rak, Director of National Security at the Presidential Office, announced this during a briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan on November 14.
President Lee will first make a state visit to the UAE on November 17. His initial schedule includes visits to the local national cemetery and the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding President of the UAE, followed by a dinner with overseas Koreans and business representatives in the evening. The next day will feature an official welcoming ceremony, a Korea-UAE summit, and a state luncheon. On the final day of his UAE visit, November 19, a business roundtable with economic leaders from both countries and a meeting with the Akh Unit troops are scheduled.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is also expected to be signed with the UAE. The MOU will cover cooperation in the defense industry, artificial intelligence (AI), and civil exchanges.
Director Wi stated, "The UAE is our only key partner in the Middle East with which we have established a special strategic partnership," adding, "Through this visit, which marks the first visit to a Middle Eastern country since the new administration took office, we aim to further strengthen Korea-UAE relations not only in the four core areas of investment, defense and defense industry, nuclear power, and energy, but also in advanced technology, healthcare, and culture."
After completing his schedule in the UAE, President Lee will travel to Egypt on November 19. The Egyptian itinerary will begin on November 20 with an official welcoming ceremony, a Korea-Egypt summit, and an official luncheon. Later that afternoon, President Lee will deliver a speech at Cairo University outlining the Korean government's vision for the Middle East.
Subsequently, President Lee will attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 21 to 23. This is the first time the G20 Summit will be held in Africa, with "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability" as its theme. During the sessions, President Lee will discuss inclusive and sustainable growth, disaster risk reduction, climate change, critical minerals, jobs, and AI. On November 23, he will also host a meeting with local Korean residents in South Africa.
Director Wi stated, "In 2028, which marks the 20th anniversary of the G20 Summit, our government plans to host the G20 Summit in Korea. By assuming the G20 presidency, the highest-level international economic cooperation forum, we will reaffirm Korea's elevated status and lead efforts to restore solidarity and cooperation within the international community."
President Lee will make a state visit to T?rkiye on November 24. His schedule will begin with a visit to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of T?rkiye, followed by a Korea-T?rkiye summit and a state dinner. On November 25, he will lay a wreath at the Korean War Memorial and conclude his tour with a luncheon meeting with overseas Koreans and business representatives in the afternoon.
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