Prime minister to visit Oman, UAE

Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik will visit Oman and the United Arab Emirates later this week to discuss energy issues and ways to strengthen economic cooperation with the Middle Eastern nations, his office said Sunday.

Kim will arrive in Oman on Friday for a three-day trip to meet Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said and Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said to promote bilateral economic and political ties, his office said.

Kim will also visit South Korean troops stationed in Oman for anti-piracy operations. These included rescuing a Korean freighter hijacked by Somalian pirates in the Arabian Sea in January last year, during which eight pirates were killed.

After Oman, Kim will fly to Abu Dhabi in the UAE to participate in the World Future Energy Summit, which runs from Jan. 16 through 19.

Kim will deliver a keynote speech on Korea's green growth strategy during the energy conference, which will be attended by several world leaders and United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon, Kim's office said. (Yonhap)