한·UAE 관계 - 축복(Barakah)받은 형제(Akh)의 현재와 미래 - = The Republic of Korea and the United Arab Emirates: The Present and Future of Two Blessed Brotherly Countries

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The diplomatic relations were established in 1980. And the signing of the contract to build the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant marked a pivotal juncture in the bilateral ties between Korea and the United Arab Emirates, paving the way for an expanded relationship in various areas. As a result, the bilateral relationship, which was defined as a Strategic Partnership in 2009, was elevated into a Special Strategic Partnership in 2018. The cooperation between the two nations has evolved beyond the sectors of energy and infrastructure into such areas as the military and defense, health, artificial intelligence, digital technology, space, agriculture and cultural fields. Indeed, the State Visit made by President Yoon Suk Yeol in January has served to further expand the concerted endeavors.
President Yoon’s visit to the UAE was the first state visit by a Korean President to the UAE since the establishment of diplomatic ties. During this visit, the two Presidents agreed to strengthen the strategic cooperation in four main areas: energy, nuclear power, investment, and defense. The two Leaders also laid the legal groundwork for new strides forward by signing an impressive 48 MOUs. Furthermore the UAE government announced its plan to invest USD 30 billions in Korea.
Bilateral relations will keep growing based on the solidarity between the two countries and the newly nurtured friendship between our two Leaders. The two countries will not only pursue short and mid-term economic benefits but indeed, more broadly, embrace a joint vision for coordination and teamwork to build strong, rich and sophisticated nations of cultural influence based on mutual deep understanding and firm bonds between the peoples.
The two nations have a duty to hand over to future generations the legacy of a strong and affluent country, a beautiful and clean environment and a free and peaceful world. Such a goal can only be achieved through partnership with a country such as the UAE with which we share strong brotherly bonds. Last April, the UAE rendered invaluable help in the evacuation of Koreans from Sudan in a spirit of “Korean nationals are UAE nationals and the safety of Koreans is the safety of Emiratis.” Based on such true bonds of sincere trust and affinity, the author is fully confident that the two countries will work together in friendship for the next 100 years, opening a new era of flourishing cooperation and thriving prosperity.