Lee ends 10-day G20-anchored tour with nuclear, defense, energy partnership in Turkey

President Lee Jae Myung and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey give a joint press announcement at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, Monday (local time). Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung concludes a 10-day tour of the Middle East and Africa on Tuesday in Turkey, ending a trip that underscored Korea’s widening global ambitions and his own rising diplomatic profile.

Beginning in the United Arab Emirates and culminating in South Africa, where he used the G20 summit to push for cooperation on supply-chain resilience and AI governance, Lee sought to extend Seoul’s reach in strategic technologies — from artificial intelligence and defense to nuclear energy — while positioning Korea as a more assertive voice on global challenges.

In Ankara, the final stop on his four-nation tour, Lee paid a two-day state visit, meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and signing a joint statement on strategic partnership. The agreement lays the groundwork for a new defense-industry alliance and broadens cooperation on energy, environmental initiatives and sustainable growth.

The joint statement said the two governments pledged to deepen their partnership, citing “mutual respect, trust and long-standing friendship” as they approach the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027.

President Lee Jae Myung delivers a joint press announcement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the presidential palace in Ankara, Türkiye, Monday (local time). Yonhap

Among the new areas of cooperation, the most significant is an MOU between Korea Electric Power Corporation and Turkey’s Nuclear Energy Corporation, TÜNAŞ. The agreement allows KEPCO to formally begin pursuing a new nuclear power project in Turkey and sets a framework for collaboration from technology to regulatory approvals and localization. The two sides will also form a joint working group to evaluate potential sites and deepen technical exchanges.

Both countries reiterated their shared concerns over pressing international issues such as terrorism, organized crime and refugee challenges.

President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the official welcome ceremony for his state visit held at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, Monday (local time). Yonhap

The leaders also shared an agreement on their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and lasting peace and stability. Turkey expressed support for South Korea’s efforts to resume dialogue through proactive tension reduction and trust-building measures, aiming to expand inter-Korean exchanges, normalize relations, and advance denuclearization toward peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity.

Later, he visited the Korean War Memorial at Korea Park in Ankara, laying a wreath in tribute to Korean War veterans. He then met with members of the Korean community in Turkey before concluding his 10-day tour, returning to Korea on Wednesday morning.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during the Korea-UAE Business Roundtable held at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, Wednesday, during his state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yonhap

Lee departed Seoul on Nov. 17 to attend the G20 summit in South Africa and, on the sidelines, visited the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey, signing a series of agreements to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, artificial intelligence and other strategic sectors.

In the UAE, South Korea secured priority participation in the UAE Stargate project, a multibillion-dollar effort to build a world-class AI infrastructure hub. The initiative — backed by OpenAI, NVIDIA and others — envisions a data-center cluster requiring up to 5 gigawatts of power, with Korean firms expected to supply key elements including power and cooling systems, according to the presidential office.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during the Korea–Egypt joint press briefing held at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday(local time). Yonhap

In Egypt, Lee met for 111 minutes with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, agreeing to deepen defense cooperation and pursue a Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Lee also said el-Sisi invited Korean firms to lead the Cairo Airport expansion, including its operation.

“We also discussed specific cooperation in the defense industry,” Lee said, noting that the project could “create significant opportunities for Korean businesses and the public.”

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during the third session of the G20 Summit held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday (local time). Joint Press Corps

At the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Lee highlighted low growth and inequality as shared global challenges, calling for joint action against protectionism and supply-chain instability.

With the leaders of the United States, China and Russia absent, Lee’s role drew added attention. He proposed three strategies to foster inclusive global growth and underscored Korea’s commitment to climate action and building a “Global AI Basic Society.”

Lee also held bilateral talks with the leaders of France and Germany, met informally with India and Brazil, joined a MIKTA gathering of middle-power nations, and met consecutively with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, signaling renewed momentum in Korea’s regional diplomacy.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft en route from South Africa to Turkey, Sunday (local time), after concluding his schedule at the G20 Summit. Yonhap

Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential plane en route to Turkey on Sunday, Lee addressed North Korea, suggesting for the first time that South Korea–U.S. joint military exercises could be adjusted under certain conditions.

He said suspending the drills would be “desirable once a solid peace regime is established,” but cautioned that such a framework is not yet in place. “If we firmly establish a peace framework where there is no need to fight, then we wouldn’t need to hold costly joint military exercises,” he added.

Lee expressed concerns that inter-Korean relations have grown more hostile, increasing the risk of accidental clashes near the Military Demarcation Line. “North Korea is refusing all forms of dialogue or contact. It’s a very dangerous situation,” he warned.

Stressing patience and persistent diplomacy, he said dialogue must continue, even in small steps. “Rather than speaking once, it’s better to speak twice — and then again. We must keep trying, so that even the smallest opening, like the eye of a needle, can be created,” Lee said, noting it will take time to undo the consequences of past administrations.