DUBAI: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan arrived in Seoul on Tuesday for a two-day state visit after an invitation from South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
After his arrival, Sheikh Mohamed, on X, said he and Yoon would discuss “ways to advance the special strategic partnership between the UAE and Republic of Korea. Through economic partnership and close people-to-people ties, our nations are determined to achieve further progress that benefits all.”
The president’s plane was escorted by military aircraft in a gesture of respect and welcome as it entered South Korean airspace, UAE state news agency WAM reported.
Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by a high-level delegation including Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al-Nahyan, adviser for special affairs at the presidential court; Ali bin Hammad Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Jaber, minister of industry and advanced technology.
Sheikh Mohamed is expected to discuss bilateral ties with his South Korean counterpart focusing on trade, investment, energy and technology.
They will also address regional and international developments of common interest, WAM reported.
“The meeting comes within the framework of strategic partnership between the UAE and South Korea in line with their vision to achieve a better and more prosperous future for the countries,” according to the WAM report.
The UAE president is expected to travel to China on May 30 for a state visit when Beijing hosts Arab leaders for the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.
The forum aims to deepen “consensus between China and Arab countries” and “issue a common voice between China and Arab countries on the Palestinian issue,” said China’s Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li.