[Full Text] President Lee Jaemyung's Speech at Cairo University, Egypt

Proposing the 'SHINE Initiative' as a Vision for the Middle East

During his tour of four Middle Eastern and African countries, President Lee Jaemyung proposed the 'SHINE Initiative' in a speech at Cairo University in Egypt on November 20 (local time). This initiative encompasses peace, prosperity, and cultural cooperation between the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East. 'SHINE' is an acronym for Stability, Harmony, Innovation, Network, and Education. President Lee emphasized, "Based on the SHINE Initiative, which spans the three areas of peace, prosperity, and culture, we will open a future of mutual growth between the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula."

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee began his speech, themed 'Opening a Bright Future Together,' by stating, "Compared to the millennia-old histories of Korea and Egypt, the 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries may seem short, but we have achieved much in that brief period." He continued, "Our two countries have built a comprehensive cooperative partnership, steadily increasing trade, investment, and exchanges in people and culture, thereby laying a solid foundation." Korea and Egypt first established diplomatic relations in 1995.

The following is the full text of the speech.

I would like to express my gratitude to

Minister Yashour of Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research,

President Abdel Sadeq of Cairo University,

the students of Cairo University who fill this hall,

and all members of the audience.

As-salamu alaykum.

I am truly delighted to look into your eyes and share my heart with you here in Cairo, where the breath of a brilliant civilization and the energy of youth coexist.

Since my inauguration as President, the first university I have visited anywhere in the world

is Cairo University.

It is only natural for the heart to lead the way.

Instead of visiting the great civilization of Egypt, called 'Umm al-Dunya,'

I have come running to Cairo University, known as 'Umm al-Jami'at al-Misriyya.'

Why did I choose to come here?

Meeting you, the promising leaders who will open the future of our two countries,

is even more exciting and inspiring than witnessing humanity’s greatest cultural heritages.

This year marks the meaningful 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Egypt.

Compared to the long histories of our two nations, stretching back thousands of years,

thirty years may seem short.

However, precisely because we have achieved so much in such a short time,

the time shared by Korea and Egypt is all the more precious.

In just one generation, our countries have established a comprehensive cooperative partnership,

steadily increasing trade, investment, and exchanges in people and culture,

and building a solid foundation for our relationship.

It is said that 'history is a mirror that reflects the present.'

I seek the wisdom to elevate our relationship to the next level

in the light of civilization and peace that runs through the histories of both countries.

Egyptian civilization, powered by the abundant sunlight and

the embracing fertility of the Nile River that transformed even barren deserts,

has left a brilliant legacy in human history.

On the Nile River, where countless sailboats once rode the winds,

the inland and the Mediterranean were connected, goods and people met and exchanged,

and Egyptian civilization was able to prosper for a long time.

The reasons why Korean culture is in the global spotlight today are not so different.

K-Culture, which combines the strengths of various cultures into new genres,

is both universal and unique,

breaking down cultural barriers between nations.

Mutual exchange based on respect for and acceptance of diversity

is the key wisdom for creating the light of shared prosperity.

Although Egypt and Korea are more than 8,000 kilometers apart,

in the long history of yearning for peace,

it is no exaggeration to say that our two nations are closely connected.

Egypt’s geographic feature of connecting continents and oceans

also makes it a strategic hub where the interests of great powers intersect.

Similarly, the Korean Peninsula, where the continent meets the ocean,

was a strategic focal point where major powers competed for influence.

As a result, Korea suffered the loss of sovereignty in the early 20th century.

Even now, we endure the pain of division caused by war.

However, Koreans and Egyptians did not simply accept their geopolitical fate

or settle for the peace they were given.

With indomitable will, through struggle and patience, and with the most earnest determination,

they have written new chapters of peace in their histories.

The yearning for peace, written separately yet together,

faced each other as if by destiny in 1919.

On March 1, 1919, Koreans shook off colonial rule with their will for self-determination

and overcame the Japanese Empire’s violence with a resounding cry for peace.

In the same year, Egyptians also rose up, proclaiming their desire for independence to the world.

Though thousands of kilometers apart, the citizens of Korea and Egypt were connected

by the spirit of independence, freedom, and equality.

Finally, on November 27, 1943, here in Cairo,

the Republic of Korea regained its lost light.

The will and determination of leaders are also key to preserving peace.

President Sadat of Egypt,

despite being called a 'traitor of the Arab world,'

risked his life to visit Israel and declared,

"War can never be the solution.

I want our children to live in peace."

President Sadat’s fearless decision for the next generation

became a turning point in Middle Eastern history,

leading to the historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.

President El-Sisi, too, never abandoned dialogue during two years of crisis in Gaza,

persisting in mediation efforts.

This tireless patience bore fruit at the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit, co-chaired with President Trump,

resulting in the historic moment of a ceasefire in Gaza.

The path of the Republic of Korea was no different.

Former presidents, including President Kim Dae-jung,

crossed forbidden lines to pioneer new roads to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The Lee Jaemyung administration also seeks to end the era of inter-Korean hostility and confrontation,

and to open a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth.

We will gradually expand inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation in feasible areas,

support efforts to normalize relations with the international community, including between North Korea and the United States,

and pursue denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a phased and pragmatic manner.

President El-Sisi has already expressed his firm support

for these efforts and initiatives of mine.

Korea and Egypt, having endured histories of hardship, will join hands with the international community

to embark on a journey of peace that offers hope and possibility to humanity suffering from conflict-

a future that fills your hearts with pride just by imagining it.

The light of civilization and peace that flows through the histories of both countries

will be an important source of nourishment for our shared prosperity.

I would like to propose the 'SHINE Initiative,'

a vision for Egypt, the Middle East, and Korea to walk together.

S stands for Stability, H for Harmony,

I for Innovation, N for Network,

and E for Education.

Based on the SHINE Initiative, which covers the three areas of peace, prosperity, and culture,

the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula will open a future of mutual growth.

First, through joint engagement,

we will build peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East,

based on stability and harmony.

Since 2007, our government has contributed to Middle East peace by dispatching the Dongmyeong Unit to Lebanon.

We have also consistently supported the two-state solution,

worked for constructive solutions to the Israel-Palestine issue,

and provided humanitarian aid to alleviate food shortages in conflict zones.

On the occasion of my visit to Cairo today,

to express our commitment to overcoming the Gaza crisis together,

Korea will make a new contribution of 10 million dollars to the Egyptian Red Crescent.

In Korea, there is a saying: 'Those who have suffered the same pain understand each other’s hearts.'

Koreans, who endured the sorrow of separated families due to war,

deeply empathize with the tears of those threatened by conflict.

The Republic of Korea, as a responsible global nation,

will steadfastly uphold the value of solidarity in the Middle East as well.

Second, through shared innovation,

we will leap toward a future of shared prosperity.

The Republic of Korea will pursue customized cooperation to drive economic development in each country,

just as Egypt has its 'Vision 2030.'

Already, Samsung’s latest smartphones are connecting Egyptians to the world,

and Hyundai Rotem’s trains are serving as the main means of transportation for Cairo’s citizens.

Through joint manufacturing, our government is contributing to

increased exports and job creation in Middle Eastern countries.

We will also continue our efforts to strengthen the institutional foundation for free trade,

including the Korea-Egypt Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The Republic of Korea’s rapid, compressed growth-known as the Miracle on the Han River-

would not have been possible without the support of the Middle East.

If we had not imported energy such as oil and natural gas from the Middle East,

and if there had been no economic cooperation, including large-scale construction contracts,

Korea could not have become the world’s tenth largest economy.

Now, it is Korea’s turn to contribute to the Miracle of the Nile.

While solidifying cooperation in energy and construction,

we will also expand our collaboration into future innovation fields such as artificial intelligence and hydrogen.

Third, through building networks and education together,

we will broaden the scope of exchange and cooperation.

There is no stronger force for deepening friendship between our countries

than frequent people-to-people exchanges and learning from each other’s cultures.

Already, Egyptian youth are learning core industrial skills-such as machinery, electricity, and automotive technology-

at Beni Suef Technological University, established by the Korea International Cooperation Agency,

and are growing into industrial leaders.

Going forward, we will expand exchanges between universities, including Cairo University,

and increase institutional support such as ICT-related master’s scholarships and training programs,

so that more Egyptian students can study in Korea.

The horizon for cultural exchange will broaden even further.

K-Culture, including food, fashion, and beauty, holds limitless potential to expand exchanges between Korea and the Middle East.

Just as many Koreans love hummus, which originated in the Middle East,

the popularity of K-Halal food is growing in Egypt,

and as Koreans and Egyptians come to enjoy each other’s cuisines as if they were their own,

our peoples will become even closer friends.

I also hope that the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Korea

will continue to collaborate in various ways.

Sharing historical experiences together will become a vital pillar of cultural exchange.

In the long term, we will create an environment in which our people can deepen their understanding of the Middle East,

including by fostering Middle East specialists.

Everyone, the core of the SHINE Initiative is simple.

Your dreams for peace and prosperity are the future of our two countries.

The Miracle on the Han River and the Miracle on the Nile-

you, gathered here today, are the protagonists who will connect these two miracles and leap forward together into the world.

Youth exchanges are the fastest and strongest link between our countries.

I trust that you will communicate freely with Korean youth and grow as leaders who embrace cultural diversity.

May today’s meeting be the starting point that brightens your brilliant future,

and the beginning of an even more radiant journey ahead for Korea, Egypt, and the Middle East.

(Before I conclude, let me add one more thing.

I love Egyptian civilization.

The people of the Republic of Korea love Egypt.

The people of Korea and Egypt love the new future that awaits both countries.)

Thank you.

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