Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets Yoon Suk Yeol

Vice President and Ruler of Dubai highlights 'unprecedented levels of strategic co-operation' between UAE and South Korea

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid met South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol. Photo: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid / Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, met South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday.

During the meeting at Za’abeel Palace in Dubai, the leaders discussed the strong strategic partnership between South Korea and the UAE and explored new opportunities to expand ties in various spheres.

They also discussed regional and global issues and ways to expand co-operation, especially in the fields of investment, economy, science, culture, advanced technology, space exploration and renewable energy.

Sheikh Mohammed said relations between the UAE and South Korea have reached “unprecedented levels” with the signing of 26 new agreements.

“Our relations with [South Korea] are exemplary,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.

“In space, we co-operated in transferring knowledge. In energy, we built the largest nuclear plant in the world. In trade, we are their first Arab partner.

“We will support 26 new agreements signed to reach unprecedented levels of strategic co-operation.”

Sheikh Mohammed said he hoped the South Korean President’s visit to the UAE would further deepen the scope of co-operation between the two countries.

Mr Yoon said the growing ties between the two countries were based on mutual understanding and respect and shared values.

The South Korean President is in the UAE on a four-day official state visit.

He landed in Abu Dhabi on Saturday and was welcomed by President Sheikh Mohamed.

During a meeting at Sea Palace barza, Sheikh Mohamed said they had “fruitful discussions and witnessed the signing of several agreements”.

Mr Yoon on Monday attended Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and visited the Barakah Nuclear Plant to mark the completion of Unit 3.

Sheikh Mohamed said that the partnership between the UAE and South Korea has brought significant benefits to both countries, enabling bilateral co-operation in a number of key sectors including nuclear energy.

“The relationship between the UAE and the Republic of Korea has been continuously strengthened through the decade-long collaboration in developing the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant,” said Sheikh Mohamed.

The UAE and South Korea forged diplomatic ties in 1980, with relations flourishing in the decades since.

In 2009, the UAE awarded the contract for the construction of the Barakah plant to Korea Electric Power Company. During the peak of construction, it was the world's largest nuclear energy project.

In 2016, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and KEPCO signed an agreement to support the sustainable operations of the Barakah plant over the coming six decades of operations.

The nations have also worked in partnership in the space sector, pooling their expertise in satellites.