Yoon: "Strengthening Cooperation with Qatar in Energy and Defense Industries... Diversifying Strategic Communication Channels"

President Yoon Interviews with Qatar State News Agency... Emphasizes Commitment to Economic Cooperation
"Promoting Programs for Tangible Benefits in Investment, Defense, and Culture"
Contemplating New 50 Years of Bilateral Relations... "Strategic Cooperation Needed for Long-Term Goals"

After concluding his state visit to Saudi Arabia, President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is moving to Qatar on the 24th (local time), announced an expansion of economic cooperation with Qatar. President Yoon stated, "We intend to expand the cooperation areas, which have so far focused on energy and construction, to include investment, defense, agriculture, culture, and human exchanges," adding, "To this end, we will diversify strategic communication channels between the two countries."

In an interview released that morning with Qatar's state news agency, Qatar News Agency, President Yoon expressed his economic cooperation intentions, saying, "I am honored to be the first Korean president to make a state visit to Qatar."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After spending four days in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Yoon moved to Doha, Qatar, to continue his state visit schedule. Upon arrival in Doha, he plans to visit the Korea Pavilion at the Doha International Horticultural Expo, and the following day, he will hold a summit with Qatar's Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, followed by a state luncheon.

As this is the first state visit by a South Korean head of state, President Yoon has high expectations for expanding cooperation. He noted, "Qatar is our second-largest LNG supplier, and its stable energy supply has been a reliable pillar for Korea to maintain energy security amid global supply chain changes." He also evaluated, "Landmarks involving Korean companies, such as the Qatar National Museum and Lusail Plaza Tower, are recognized as symbols of friendly cooperation between our two countries."

He emphasized the necessity of expanding economic cooperation. President Yoon mentioned strengthening cooperation with Qatar in ▲investment ▲defense ▲agriculture ▲culture ▲human exchanges, stating, "We aim to promote cooperation programs that allow the peoples of both countries to enjoy more tangible benefits."

Ahead of the summit, he previewed, "I intend to have in-depth discussions with Emir Tamim on how to cultivate the next 50 years of bilateral relations." He specifically pointed to the 'Qatar National Vision 2030,' adding, "It is necessary for Korea and Qatar to present long-term development goals for bilateral relations and seek strategic cooperation plans accordingly."

He stated that cooperation in energy, infrastructure, trade, investment, defense, and agriculture sectors is required to achieve this. He added, "Since Korean businesspeople are accompanying this visit, I hope it will be an opportunity for economic actors from both countries to gather and discuss and plan cooperative projects." Over 60 Korean companies covering various new industries such as digital, bio, smart farms, and cultural content are accompanying the economic delegation on this visit to Qatar.

He also raised human and cultural exchanges. President Yoon believes, "Enhancing understanding and friendship among the peoples is an important foundation for steadily developing relations between countries." He noted, "A visa exemption agreement between the two countries was signed last year, strengthening the institutional foundation for human exchanges," and forecasted, "The Korean government will actively seek ways to expand cooperation with Qatar in education, culture, and tourism."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.