UAE President to visit South Korea on state visit
Visit Aims to Strengthen Ties in Energy, Defence, and Investment; High-Level Meetings and Ceremonies Planned
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Make Historic State Visit to South Korea
Seoul, May 28 (IANS) United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will make a significant state visit to South Korea on Tuesday. This visit aims to discuss and explore various avenues for expanding cooperation in key sectors such as energy, defence, and other crucial areas. This visit is notable as it marks the first state visit to South Korea by a UAE President, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
President Mohamed will engage in a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and hold meetings with prominent business leaders over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday. This visit underscores the strengthening of ties between the two nations and highlights their mutual interest in deepening bilateral relations.
In a gesture of high regard and formal welcome, four Air Force fighter jets will escort the UAE’s presidential jet upon its arrival. President Yoon Suk Yeol will further honor President Mohamed by hosting a welcome dinner, reflecting the importance of this diplomatic engagement.
The schedule for Wednesday includes an official welcome ceremony, which will be a grand event featuring an impressive air show performed by the Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team. The ceremony will also showcase traditional performances, adding a cultural touch to the welcoming proceedings.
Following the welcome ceremony, Presidents Yoon and Mohamed will hold a summit. During this summit, they will delve into discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in various sectors, particularly energy, defence, and investment. These discussions are expected to yield significant agreements and initiatives that will benefit both nations.
Throughout the two-day visit, President Mohamed is set to meet with key business leaders from South Korea. This includes high-profile figures such as Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Euisun Chung of Hyundai Motor Group, and Chey Tae-won of SK Group. These meetings, according to industry sources, will likely focus on strategic partnerships and collaborative ventures that could drive economic growth and innovation.
This visit builds on the diplomatic momentum established earlier this year. President Yoon Suk Yeol made a historic state visit to the UAE in January 2023, marking the first such visit by a South Korean leader since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1980. During that summit, President Mohamed announced a substantial investment plan, pledging $30 billion to South Korea. Additionally, both leaders oversaw the signing of 13 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) covering a wide range of sectors, including energy, arms, and climate change.
The ongoing visit by President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is expected to further solidify these agreements and open new pathways for cooperation. It underscores the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with South Korea and highlights the potential for increased collaboration in addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable development.
