President Yoon Seok-yeol held talks today (17th) with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, and discussed ways to develop bilateral relations.
President Yoon had an official luncheon at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong today following an extended meeting and a one-on-one meeting with Crown Prince Bin Salman, who is visiting Korea to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Saudi Arabia.
Crown Prince bin Salman's visit to Korea is the first in 3 years following 2019.
President Yoon said at the meeting, "Saudi Arabia is Korea's largest trading partner in the Middle East and an overseas construction partner country, and is a key partner in our economy and energy security." Now is the right time to take bilateral relations to a new level."
"We look forward to further expanding and developing cooperation in the fields of investment cooperation in new growth areas, participation in mega projects such as Neom, cooperation in the defense industry, development of future energy such as hydrogen, and vitalization of cultural exchange and tourism in the future," he said. revealed.
In response, Crown Prince bin Salman said, "Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Korean companies have greatly contributed to the development of Saudi Arabia's national infrastructure." "Based on the trust accumulated in this process, I hope to strengthen cooperation with Korea to realize Saudi 'Vision 2030'." " he replied.
In particular, he emphasized, "I want to drastically strengthen cooperation with Korea in three areas: energy, defense industry, and infrastructure and construction."
In detail, the President's Office said that they hoped for cooperation in hydrogen energy development, carbon capture technology, small nuclear reactor (SMR) development, and nuclear power plant manpower training in the energy sector, and hardware and software cooperation to strengthen Saudi defense capabilities in the defense industry.
In addition, as part of 'Vision 2030' in the field of infrastructure, we requested active participation of various companies, including Korean SMEs.
The two sides agreed to further develop bilateral relations into a 'future-oriented strategic partnership' through this summit.
It was also agreed to establish a new 'Strategic Partnership Committee'.
The two sides also agreed to further strengthen cooperation so that practical results can be derived in the future in various fields such as energy, investment and defense cooperation, culture and people-to-people exchanges, and tourism, with the 'Korea-Saudi Vision 2030 Committee' at the center.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince bin Salman praised the South Korean government's efforts to contain the North Korean threat and denuclearize, reaffirming his support for the "Bold Initiative" of the Yoon Seok-yeol government.
The two sides strongly condemn North Korea's recent provocations, and agreed to respond sternly as members of the G20 and responsible members of the international community if North Korea conducts a serious provocation, including its seventh nuclear test. .
Attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, Foreign Minister Jin Park, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, Minister of Industry and Trade Lee Chang-yang, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong.
In the Presidential Office, Chief of Staff Kim Dae-gi, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok, Senior Secretary for Public Relations Kim Eun-hye, Director of the National Security Office Kim Seong-han, and First Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo were present.
(Photo = Courtesy of the Presidential Office, Yonhap News)