Cairo: President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo, focusing on expanding economic ties, cultural exchanges, and regional security cooperation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this meeting marked the first official visit by a South Korean president to Egypt in three years. The discussions come at a significant time as the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Both leaders are expected to explore ways to enhance trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.

The summit agenda also included discussions on regional security issues, with President Lee seeking to strengthen cooperation with Egypt to advance peace efforts in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. In a contribution to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, Lee urged Egypt's support for South Korea's denuclearization plans for North Korea and peace initiatives on the Korean Peninsula.

Defense collaboration remains a crucial element of the bilateral relationship, highlighted by Egypt's $1.7 billion contract with Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace for K9 self-propelled howitzers and other equipment, scheduled for delivery next year. With the rising popularity of Korean culture in Egypt, President Lee is also expected to emphasize the importance of cultural exchanges.

During the summit, both nations plan to sign memorandums of understanding to enhance cooperation across various sectors. President Lee is also scheduled to deliver a speech at Cairo University, outlining his vision for deeper engagement with the Middle East. Later, he will meet with Korean residents in Egypt.