Ankara: President Lee Jae Myung left Turkey for home Tuesday to conclude his four-nation trip to the Middle East and Africa, which focused on expanding economic ties with the Global South and engaging in multilateral diplomacy.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee wrapped up his trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Turkey, undertaken on the occasion of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa, where he sought to strengthen economic cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, infrastructure, and cultural industries.
The G20 meeting marked the final leg of his multilateral diplomacy this year, following his attendance at the Group of Seven summit, the U.N. General Assembly, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, and South Korea's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
During summits with leaders of the UAE, Egypt, and Turkey, Lee explored ways to deepen economic partnerships with countries seen as vital to South Korea's trade, energy security, and long-term strategic cooperation.
In Cairo, Lee unveiled the SHINE initiative, which stands for stability, harmony, innovation, network, and education. It is aimed at deepening South Korea's engagement in the Middle East and supporting sustainable regional collaboration.
Lee is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Wednesday.