President Lee Pays Tribute at UAE National Memorial... Also Visits Founding President's Mausoleum

President Lee Begins First Official Schedule in UAE
Guestbook Message: "Respect for Noble Sacrifice... Toward a Future of Shared Prosperity Between Our Two Countries"

President Lee Jaemyung, upon arriving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), began his first official schedule on November 17 (local time) by visiting 'Wahat Al Karama,' the UAE's national memorial in the capital city of Abu Dhabi. This site, which means 'Oasis of Dignity,' is dedicated to honoring fallen public officials and veterans. President Lee also paid tribute to those who sacrificed themselves for the UAE.

Yonhap News Agency

In the guestbook, President Lee wrote, "Together with the people of Korea, I pay my respects to your noble sacrifice." He then visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a prominent example of Islamic architecture, and paid his respects at the mausoleum of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE. Sheikh Zayed established the UAE federation in 1971 and ruled the country until his death in 2004. He is revered locally as the 'Father of the Nation.'

At the mausoleum of President Zayed, President Lee wrote in the guestbook, "Remembering President Zayed, we will move forward vigorously toward a future of shared prosperity between our two countries."

For this first official event, First Lady Kim Hye-kyung accompanied President Lee, wearing a hijab, the traditional head covering worn by women in Islamic cultures.