President Lee Jae-myung met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), at Cheong Wa Dae, Senior Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.

Welcoming Chairman Khaldoon, President Lee recalled that the two countries agreed to move forward into a "centennial partnership" on the occasion of the UAE state visit to South Korea in November of last year.

Spokesperson Kang stated that President Lee also expressed gratitude for the UAE's consideration in prioritizing crude oil supplies to South Korea despite challenging conditions stemming from regional instability in the Middle East.

In addition, President Lee assessed that practical cooperation across various fields—such as defense and arms procurement, AI and advanced technologies, nuclear power, and culture—is making steady progress based on close communication between Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Chairman Khaldoon, who serve as the key communication channel between the two nations.

He also asked Chairman Khaldoon to convey his special regards to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Chairman Khaldoon delivered warm regards from President Mohamed to President Lee and said, "The people of the UAE have come to view South Korea as a grateful brother nation that stood by the UAE during difficult times."

He further evaluated that the bilateral cooperative relationship, which had developed primarily around energy and infrastructure, is expanding into diverse and future-oriented areas such as investment, space, healthcare, and education.

President Lee called for close communication between officials in charge on both sides going forward so that the two countries can continue dialogue and cooperation based on trust between their leaders and achieve tangible results that the citizens of both nations can feel.

Chairman Khaldoon's visit to South Korea comes about eight months after his previous trip in January of this year.

Diplomatic circles are discussing the possibility that a summit between South Korea and the UAE may take place in South Korea next month.

(Photo courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae, Yonhap News)