[Public Voices] "Now Our Generation Will Ignite a Second Middle East Boom"

When I said, "I am going on a business trip to Saudi Arabia," my father told me, "Be careful not to get slapped by the police." It made me laugh, but I also felt a slight tension. What kind of events took place in Saudi Arabia during the 1970s when my father was working there? Visiting Saudi Arabia as part of the economic delegation accompanying President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit sparked my curiosity about how Saudi Arabia of my father’s generation differs from Saudi Arabia today.

Upon arriving locally, it was clear that Saudi Arabia, much like 30 to 40 years ago, still has its harsh and arid lands, and remnants of its old, pre-opening era remain scattered throughout. The attitude toward outsiders still reveals a closed-off nature.

One should not judge Saudi Arabia by its outward appearance. Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took the lead, many changes have occurred in Saudi Arabia. The country is striving to move away from oil dependency. With about 100 years left on the shelf life of its "oil money," Saudi Arabia is investing generously in numerous infrastructure projects, including the NEOM City. This is essentially a national transformation project. For this unprecedented project, they have united the population under 35 years old?which accounts for over 70% of the total population?under a single goal.

Currently, Saudi Arabia is engaged in a fierce battle to find future sources of income for at least the next 10 years and to survive competition with leading global companies. At the current pace of development, Saudi Arabia is sure to experience a revolutionary transformation in the next decade. Our government and participating companies have formed a sales one-team and embarked on this state visit. This is to seize the opportunity of a "second Middle East boom" originating from Saudi Arabia amid the chaotic and complex international situation. Government authorities and companies worked as one to dedicate themselves to the economic development of the Republic of Korea in Saudi Arabia. Korea shines amid crisis. Coincidentally, Saudi Arabia also needs our help. Korea’s status as a powerhouse in construction, automobiles, semiconductors, and various information and communication industries is an essential condition for the "New Saudi."

I have previously participated as a member of economic delegations to the United Arab Emirates and the United States, but my participation in this Saudi economic delegation holds a special meaning. When I was born in Seoul, my father was working at a construction site in Saudi Arabia. He spent a total of six years in Saudi Arabia over two separate periods, away from his family, which must have been truly arduous years. Even in today’s Saudi Arabia, the blood, sweat, and tears felt by the parents’ generation dispatched there come vividly to mind. Giving birth to a child without a spouse nearby, bearing the burden of being the head of the family and working day and night, laughing off the contempt and ridicule of locals, receiving letters stained with my mother’s tears weeks later?these are all experiences that most Korean families went through 30 to 40 years ago, and coming here makes them feel as fresh as if they happened yesterday.

Having received a good education through the blood, sweat, and tears of my parents’ generation and arriving at this position today, I am a living witness to Korea’s growth. Now it is our generation’s turn. I hope that the blood, sweat, and tears of our generation will also be remembered and bring glory to future generations. I look forward to a healthy and great Republic of Korea where our descendants can enjoy these fruits. "To our seniors, thank you so much for your hard work. We will take charge of the future. Korea, fighting!"

Jihah Jeong, CEO of Tripbitos

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