Today's Edition
AHMED MURAD (CAIRO)
UAE-Korea relations are built on the principles and values of friendship, mutual interests, understanding, and consensus on various regional and global issues, as well as promoting international peace and security.
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and the Republic of Korea began with the opening of the Korean Embassy in Abu Dhabi on June 18, 1980, and the UAE Embassy in Seoul in 1987.
Ambassador Hamdi Saleh, Former Assistant to the Egyptian Foreign Minister, told Aletihad that the remarkable development in UAE-Korea relations over the past two decades is due to the UAE’s pro-active diplomacy of establishing balanced relations with nations, both regionally and internationally.
The Republic of Korea is one of the countries with which the UAE shares comprehensive strategic relations based on friendship, mutual interests, and cooperation in various fields, in addition to their shared desire to maintain regional and international peace and security.
Continuous Dialogue
Dr. Nadia Helmy, an expert in Asian affairs, highlighted the significant consensus between the UAE and the Republic of Korea on various regional and international issues. Each party supports the other in different international forums and occasions. This was evident in Korea’s support for the UAE to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009, and for the UAE to host the COP28 climate conference.
Dr. Helmy praised the UAE and Korea’s commitment to activating and enhancing strategic dialogue mechanisms in various fields through several key channels, such as the strategic dialogue between the foreign ministries of both countries, high-level consultations on energy cooperation, and meetings of the joint economic committee.
A Balanced Model
Dr. Norhan El Sheikh, an international relations expert and professor of political science at Cairo University, described UAE-Korea relations as a model of a stable and balanced partnership based on the concept of win-win cooperation.
The UAE is a major player in the global oil industry, while the Republic of Korea is a leader in the technology industry. This mutual importance drives both countries to deepen their relations to achieve shared benefits that serve their mutual interests, Dr. El Sheikh told Aletihad.
Key Indicators
In 2020, the UAE and the Republic of Korea celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations, with bilateral cooperation spanning dozens of projects, agreements, and memoranda of understanding in energy, economy, healthcare, culture, education, government administration, space, and other fields.
Furthermore, over 13,000 Koreans reside in the UAE, with investments in over 1,000 companies across various fields and sectors.
The UAE receives more than 200,000 visitors from Korea annually.
Over 40 Korean companies invest in the UAE in areas such as finance, insurance, trade, and construction.
