President Lee Sends Letters of Appreciation to Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for Assisting Middle East Evacuation
Letters of Appreciation Sent to Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and Others
"Friendship Between Korea and Japan Shines...Further Cooperation Expected"
On March 18, President Lee Jae-myung sent letters of appreciation to the leaders of Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance in evacuating Korean nationals from the Middle East.
Kang Yoo-jung, spokesperson for the presidential office, announced in a written briefing that President Lee sent letters of thanks to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
President Lee Jae-myung is presiding over a cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong on the 17th. 2026.3.17 Yonhap News
Photo by Yonhap News
According to Spokesperson Kang, President Lee expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Takaichi for Japan’s cooperation. On March 11, the Japanese government assisted with the return of 11 Korean nationals and one spouse from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and on March 13, with the return of four Korean nationals from Muscat, Oman. President Lee also noted the significance of Japanese citizens being able to travel with Korean nationals on a Korean military transport aircraft.
President Lee went on to mention the history of cooperation between Korea and Japan in protecting their nationals overseas during various crises. He highly praised the close communication and cooperation between the two countries’ foreign ministries and local embassies, based on the “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the Protection of Overseas Nationals in Third Countries” signed in September 2024.
President Lee stated, “I am pleased that the friendship between our two countries has been further illuminated through this cooperation in the Middle East,” adding, “I believe that such cooperation will further deepen the friendship and trust between our peoples, and I look forward to both countries working even more closely together to protect the lives and safety of our citizens going forward.”
In addition, President Lee expressed deep gratitude to Emir Tamim for his concern regarding the safe return of Korean nationals. On March 9, the Korean government arranged an emergency commercial flight departing from Doha, Qatar, which enabled 322 Korean nationals to return home. President Lee remarked that Qatar’s active support, as a “comprehensive strategic partner” of Korea, demonstrated the close relationship between the two countries, and said he hoped to continue discussions on ways to further increase cooperation in the future.
Hot Picks Today
"You Might Regret Not Buying Now"... Overseas Retail Investors Stirred by News of Record-Breaking Monster Stocks' IPOs
- "Not Jealous of Winning the Lottery"... Entire Village Stunned as 200 Million Won Jackpot of Wild Ginseng Cluster Discovered at Jirisan
- Mistaken for the Flu, Left Untreated... Death Toll Surges as WHO Declares Emergency (Comprehensive)
- Takaichi Says, "I Was Debating Drinking Due to Parliament Schedule"... President Lee Jokes, "Should I Make a Call?"
- "How Did an Employee Who Loved Samsung End Up Like This?"... Past Video of Samsung Electronics Union Chairman Resurfaces
President Lee also conveyed his appreciation to Crown Prince bin Salman of Saudi Arabia through a letter of thanks. Saudi Arabia cooperated to allow a Korean military transport aircraft to carry 204 Korean nationals home on March 14.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
