UAE And South Korea Strengthen Strategic Partnership For Development And Prosperity

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Republic of Korea have developed a unique strategic partnership, enhancing their bilateral relations significantly. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to fostering development and prosperity for both nations. President Lee Jae-myung's upcoming visit to the UAE marks an important milestone in their nearly 45-year-long relationship.

Economic ties between the UAE and Korea are on a steady rise. In 2024, non-oil trade between the two nations reached $6.6 billion, showing an 11.4% increase from 2023. The first half of 2025 saw non-oil foreign trade surpass $3.14 billion. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aims to further boost this growth by eliminating most customs duties and easing trade barriers in key sectors.

In 2023, the UAE committed to investing $30 billion in Korea's strategic sectors through its sovereign investment funds. During the eighth Joint Economic Committee session, both countries agreed to diversify economic cooperation across 11 strategic areas, enhancing mutual investments and strengthening economic ties.

Nuclear Energy Collaboration

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant exemplifies successful developmental cooperation between the UAE and Korea. This project, awarded to a consortium led by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) in December 2009, is Korea's first nuclear power plant construction abroad, valued at $20 billion.

Tourism and Aviation

Tourism and aviation cooperation between the two countries is thriving, with over 200,000 Korean tourists visiting the UAE annually. In July 2023, both sides agreed to boost tourism exchange and support start-ups entering this market, building on initiatives like Korea Travel Week held in May.

Cultural Exchange

Cultural ties are strengthened through initiatives such as the Korean Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi and an annual Korean culture festival in the UAE. The King Sejong Institute branches in Sharjah and Zayed University in Al Ain witness growing interest in Korean language and culture among students.

Healthcare Advancements

The medical field sees robust collaboration with numerous agreements covering medical evaluation, hospital management, and expertise exchange. In June last year, Dubai Healthcare City began developing the Asan–UAE Digestive Diseases Hospital, marking Asan Medical Center's first global branch outside South Korea.

Both nations continue to enhance their partnership through regular dialogue and reciprocal visits by senior officials since 2019. Their cooperation spans various fields including politics, climate change, cybersecurity, food security, defence, healthcare, culture, government administration, and space exploration.

With inputs from WAM