Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Seoul, Abu Dhabi pledge to expand strategic partnership
President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Executive Affairs Authority, at the Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
Korea and the United Arab Emirates signaled their intention to build a long-term strategic partnership focused on defense and high-tech cooperation, as President Lee Jae Myung met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Affairs Authority, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul Thursday.
Al Mubarak visited Seoul in his capacity as the United Arab Emirates’ special envoy for Korea, holding the meeting as part of follow-up consultations after Lee’s state visit to the UAE in November. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen defense cooperation and explored opportunities to expand collaboration in the field of advanced technology.
In his opening remarks, Lee said that “considerable groundwork has already been laid for cooperation projects between the two countries” and called for close coordination to produce tangible results. He also stressed the enduring scope of the bilateral relationship, expressing hope that “Korea and the UAE will develop a partnership that lasts for the next 100 years.”
The president also mentioned the possibility of a state visit to Korea by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saying he hoped it could take place soon to allow for more substantive discussions.
Describing the UAE as “an important ally of Korea,” Lee added that he remains deeply grateful for the warm hospitality he received during his previous visit to the country.
Following a bilateral summit last year, Korea and the UAE agreed to pursue joint development of weapons systems, local production and joint exports to third countries in the defense sector. The two sides also reached a consensus on expanding cooperation into advanced technology fields, including nuclear energy and artificial intelligence.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Executive Affairs Authority, at the Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
In response, Al Mubarak conveyed greetings from the UAE leader, saying he valued the opportunity to welcome Lee. He also expressed optimism about the future development of the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Al Mubarak added that both sides agree on the importance of producing tangible results early and said he would continue to work closely with Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik to achieve concrete outcomes. After being named Korea’s special envoy for strategic economic cooperation last October, Kang visited Abu Dhabi to advance discussions on defense cooperation.
The presidential office said it expects the meeting to serve as an opportunity to further deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries, and plans to continue follow-up working-level consultations.