ED Korea and UAE: true partners
President Yoon Suk Yeol and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, stroll in the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on May 29. Courtesy of The Presidential Office
Cheong Wa Dae took on a picturesque ambiance on May 28 when President Yoon Suk Yeol hosted a banquet for visiting United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, prior to their summit held a day later.
The lights of Seoul’s N. Tower which overlooks the metropolitan city from the hilltops of Mount Nam turned red, green, white and black. The dynamic display of colors from the tower left a lasting impression on the UAE leader. Each of the four colors holds significance, symbolizing elements of the UAE's national flag: red, green, white, and black.
The lighting show was a deliberate component of the Korean government's cultural diplomacy efforts, carefully orchestrated to convey the utmost warmth in welcoming the UAE delegation.
The significance of the Middle Eastern country to Korea prompted even the typically procedural presidential office staff to engage their creativity fully. They brainstormed tirelessly to devise an event concept aimed at impressing the UAE delegation, recognizing the exceptional importance of this diplomatic relationship.
Their concerted efforts yielded significant results. The UAE president and the accompanying officials on his visit to Korea experienced an unforgettable evening, marking the success of their endeavors. Indeed, a job well done.
While undeniably impressive, a singular event of this nature cannot alone sustain the momentum needed for bilateral relations to flourish, ensuring mutual benefit for both sides. Ongoing efforts and initiatives are essential to nurturing and strengthening the relationship between the two countries over time.
A vital consideration for Korean policymakers is maintaining consistency in key policies. This ensures that Korea's course of action remains predictable and stable, irrespective of changes in government.
In the past, the resilience of Korea-UAE relations was challenged due to policy inconsistencies. Tensions arose primarily from a significant shift in Korea's approach to nuclear energy after President Moon Jae-in took office. The Moon administration diverged from its predecessor's strategy of expanding nuclear reactor construction for electricity generation. Instead, it pledged to prioritize renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. This abrupt policy alteration proved detrimental to Korea's interests, causing discomfort and potentially straining bilateral ties.
One expert shared an experience about cynical reactions from the Middle East which ultimately undermined Korea's credibility.
Jang Ji-hyang, director of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, expressed her embarrassment when confronted with questions regarding Korea's sale of nuclear energy technology to the Middle Eastern country. She found herself at a loss for words when questioned about this apparent contradiction, as Korea concurrently pursued the phasing out of nuclear reactors domestically. She admitted feeling perplexed by the validity of the inquiry, highlighting a challenging discrepancy in Korea's nuclear energy policy.
That policy shift, she said, undermined Korea’s interests and eroded trust. Her point makes sense. How can you tell others to trust you when you are zig-zagging on a certain issue? Unpredictability undermines trust, making others doubt your reliability as a partner. In international relations, consistency is key to being seen as trustworthy.
Since December 2009, Korea's bilateral relations with the UAE have seen a marked improvement, particularly following the securing of a $20 billion deal to construct four nuclear reactors in the UAE. President Lee Myung-bak's strategic summit diplomacy played a pivotal role in Korea's unexpected success, challenging the widely held expectation that France would emerge as the victor in the nuclear deal.
The historic nuclear deal has taken Korea-UAE relations to the next level.
Their relationship has extended into various sectors beyond nuclear energy, encompassing education, healthcare, and security.
In 2009, Korea and the UAE found themselves mutually dependent. Lee, a former business executive, recognized the critical importance of securing a nuclear reactor deal abroad for Korea's economy. Despite possessing advanced technology, breaking into the international nuclear market, dominated by France, proved challenging. However, Lee's vision of Korea's world-class nuclear energy technology as a potential economic engine drove the country's determination to succeed.
At the same time, the UAE faced mounting pressure due to the shifting geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The United States, traditionally a security guarantor in the region, underwent policy changes, adding to the uncertainty. Against this backdrop, Korea and the UAE emerged as ideal partners, each possessing strengths that complemented the other's pressing needs.
The Republic of Korea Special Warfare Unit, better known as Akh Unit, has been deployed in the UAE since 2011. The unit is responsible for training UAE defense forces and protecting Koreans in the Middle East.
The UAE president calls Korea “a brother country.” During a meeting with his long-time friend, Lee, the former president, on May 29, the UAE leader was quoted as saying that Emiratis feel the same way and they likened Koreans to brothers because of Akh Unit.
Korea and the UAE befriended each other when they were in need. While working closely together in various sectors for the past 15 years, they became genuine friends.
Friends are not supposed to let each other down. Friends are supposed to live up to their commitments and help each other, especially when times are tough.
In international relations, yesterday’s enemy can be today’s friend and today’s friend can be tomorrow’s enemy. The nature of cross-border relations changes as foreign relations are usually shaped by national interests.
Unlike interest-based relations, trust-based relations, like Korea-UAE ties, can endure and continue to create opportunities for each other.