President Lee Jae Myung asked Qatar to expand cooperation with South Korea in areas including defense, the defense industry and energy, his office said Tuesday.
Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Nam Jun said in a written briefing that Lee met in the morning with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, a special envoy of Qatar’s emir.
Lee said the envoy’s swift visit after last week’s phone call with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani showed “the two countries’ firm commitment to cooperation.” He said he hoped the visit would further strengthen “mutually beneficial cooperation” in strategic fields including defense and the defense industry, investment and energy.
Al-Khulaifi said he came to personally convey the emir’s “special trust” in South Korea and his will to deepen cooperation. He added he would work to carry out the two leaders’ shared commitment to advancing South Korea-Qatar relations.
Lee noted the two countries have maintained diplomatic ties for more than 50 years and have upgraded their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” He said he hoped they would remain true friends who help each other in difficult times and contribute together to regional and international peace amid a complex global situation.
Lee also asked the envoy to pass along his hope to hold a candid discussion in Seoul with the emir on ways to develop bilateral ties.
In a phone call on Jan. 20, Lee told the emir the two countries should continue expanding cooperation across a range of fields. The emir said South Korea, Qatar’s “comprehensive strategic partner,” has made major contributions to Qatar’s national development, based on Qatar’s trust in and expectations for South Korea.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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