Next to Beckham in the VIP Seat, South Korean Defense Minister... What Is the Real Reason for Going to Qatar?

Watching the Asian Cup in Royal Private Space Courtesy of the King
Visiting Qatar to Enhance Defense and Defense Industry Cooperation Between the Two Countries

Shin Won-sik, the Minister of National Defense, who watched the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup semifinal match between Korea and Jordan on-site, has become a topic of interest. Captured in the stands, Minister Shin watched the game from a royal exclusive area by invitation of the Qatari Emir during his tour of three Middle Eastern countries. On the 7th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that Minister Shin Won-sik attended the Asian Cup semifinal match between Korea and Qatar held at 6 p.m. local time on the 6th in the royal exclusive area by invitation of the Qatari Emir during his tour of three Middle Eastern countries. In the Asian Cup semifinal, which was also attended by Beckham along with Minister Shin, Korea lost 0-2 to Jordan and did not advance to the final.

On the 6th (local time), the 2023 AFC Asian Cup semifinal match between Korea and Jordan was held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Shin Won-sik, Minister of National Defense, is watching the game.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier on the 6th (local time), Minister Shin paid a courtesy visit to Tamim Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. At this meeting, Minister Shin expressed his intention to further develop bilateral relations in the fields of defense and defense industry cooperation in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Korea-Qatar diplomatic relations this year. Later that day, he held talks with Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to discuss ways to promote defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Shin Won-sik’s attendance at the semifinal match was made possible by the Qatari Emir’s invitation to the entire Ministry of National Defense delegation to watch the game in the royal exclusive area. When Minister Shin visited the Qatari Emir on the morning of the 6th, the Emir warmly welcomed him, recalling his meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol in October last year. He also proposed inviting the entire Korean Ministry of National Defense delegation to the Asian Cup football semifinal match between Korea and Jordan.

Shin Won-sik, Minister of National Defense, who is on an official visit to Qatar, is taking a commemorative photo on the 6th (local time) at the Qatar Ministry of Defense after signing the "Korea-Qatar Defense Cooperation Joint Committee Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" with Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Qatar.
[Photo by Ministry of National Defense]

During the Korea-Qatar defense ministers’ meeting held that afternoon, Minister Shin said, "President Yoon Suk-yeol was very pleased to hear that the Qatari Emir invited our Ministry of National Defense delegation to the football match," and added, "He asked me to convey his gratitude." The Qatari Minister of Defense responded very warmly. A Ministry of National Defense official stated, "The Qatari side provided the highest level of hospitality to our delegation throughout the visit," and "They were very friendly and proactive regarding defense cooperation between the two countries."

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