Abu dhabi: President Lee Jae Myung announced South Korea's intentions to strengthen its partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, and advanced technologies. The goal is to position South Korea as a significant economic ally of the UAE.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee, during an interview with UAE newspaper Aletihad, expressed his desire to establish a "new centennial phase" in bilateral relations by expanding cooperative efforts beyond traditional domains like trade, defense, nuclear power, and energy. This includes venturing into innovative and future-focused sectors.
Lee underscored the pivotal role of Korean chip manufacturers in the global supply chain, highlighting their collaborations with international tech leaders like OpenAI. He expressed optimism about enhancing cooperation with the UAE to bolster its AI ecosystem. "As a leading global producer of memory chips, Korea is a strategic partner capable of providing the advanced AI-memory chips the UAE needs," Lee remarked, emphasizing the significant contributions Korean companies can make in developing the UAE's AI semiconductor landscape.
He further noted the potential of innovative Korean startups in diversifying the UAE's supply base, particularly in the AI semiconductor market, which is currently dominated by a few firms. "Innovative Korean startups, such as Rebellions and FuriosaAI, have strong potential to serve as alternative suppliers," he stated, anticipating synergies with the UAE's strategic vision.
On the energy front, Lee advocated for building on the achievements of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the UAE's first nuclear power facility constructed by Korea Electric Power Corp. With the plant fully operational and supplying a quarter of the UAE's electricity, Lee sees an opportunity to expand energy cooperation into renewables and small modular reactors, including collaborative ventures in third countries to meet rising power demands.
Lee highlighted the potential for synergy by merging the UAE's solar resources with Korea's advanced battery and energy-storage technologies. "Cooperation in renewable energy-driven transitions and energy-storage systems will significantly enhance our leadership in new, eco-friendly industries," he stated.
In cultural exchanges, Lee mentioned plans to ease entry procedures for UAE citizens visiting South Korea and the establishment of a new Korean Cultural Center in the UAE by 2030. This center aims to serve as a focal point for bilateral cultural interactions.