President of Republic of Korea receives Khaldoon Al Mubarak, discusses strengthening Special Strategic Partnership
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak met President Lee Jae‑myung in Seoul to review progress and pursue deeper cooperation across technology, energy, defence and cultural exchanges.
UAE and Republic of Korea review Special Strategic Partnership
SEOUl, 18 September 2026 — Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Special Envoy to the Republic of Korea, held talks with President Lee Jae‑myung today as part of an official visit to the sisterly Republic of Korea. During the meeting Al Mubarak conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the Republic of Korea and its people.
The discussions focused on the bilateral Special Strategic Partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea. Both sides reviewed the progress made under the partnership and explored ways to deepen cooperation across a range of priority areas identified as mutual interests. These include artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, peaceful nuclear energy, the defence industry, culture and people‑to‑people exchanges.
Al Mubarak also met Kang Hoon‑sik, Presidential Chief of Staff and Special Envoy to the UAE, in separate talks while in Seoul. The meetings were attended by senior officials from both countries, among them Jamal Abdulla Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
Officials emphasised upcoming milestones in the bilateral relationship and discussed potential avenues to advance cooperation and bilateral engagement. The talks signal continued diplomatic momentum aimed at strengthening ties between Abu Dhabi and Seoul, with an emphasis on technological collaboration, safe and peaceful civil nuclear programmes, and mutually beneficial defence industry links.
By reaffirming high‑level commitment on both sides, the meetings underlined the role of Abu Dhabi’s executive institutions in steering strategic international partnerships for the UAE. The engagement also reflects the broader federal interest in consolidating strategic cooperation with partner nations to support economic diversification, technological development and cultural exchange.
The delegation-level discussions in Seoul form part of an ongoing diplomatic dialogue between the UAE and the Republic of Korea designed to translate strategic intent into concrete projects and exchanges across government, industry and civil society.
Source: WAM