President Lee Arrives in Abu Dhabi... UAE Escorts with Four Fighter Jets

President Lee Jae-myung, who is making a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is being guided upon his arrival at Abu Dhabi Royal Airport on the 17th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee Jaemyung arrived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the 17th (local time) for a state visit. This marks his first visit to a Middle Eastern country since taking office.

President Lee departed from Seoul Airport in the morning and arrived at Abu Dhabi Royal Airport at around 3 p.m. local time. As Air Force One carrying President Lee entered UAE airspace, four fighter jets escorted the plane as a gesture of state-level hospitality.

At the airport, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board Executive Committee of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, and Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to Korea, welcomed President Lee. Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, who had previously visited the UAE as Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation, also greeted President Lee.

During his three-day, two-night stay in the UAE, President Lee will attend a summit and other official events. On the first day, he will visit the local national cemetery and the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president. In the evening, he will attend a dinner with overseas Koreans and local business representatives. On the 18th, the official welcome ceremony, Korea-UAE summit, and state luncheon will take place. On the same day, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cooperation in areas such as defense will also be signed between Korea and the UAE. On the 19th, a business roundtable will be held to discuss cooperation between business leaders. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jaeyong and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dongkwan are among those expected to attend.