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President Lee Jae-myung greets Yusuf Al Obaidli, director general of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, during his visit to the mosque in Abu Dhabi on November 17. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung began his state visit to the United Arab Emirates on November 17 (local time), receiving a fighter-jet escort as Air Force One entered UAE airspace. The UAE is the first stop on Lee’s Middle East–Africa tour following the G20 Summit, marking his first official visit to the country since taking office.

“UAE will be Korea’s basecamp for Middle East expansion”

Speaking at a dinner meeting with Korean expatriates in Abu Dhabi, Lee said, “The United Arab Emirates will serve as Korea’s basecamp for advancing into the Middle East and the Arab world.”

He added that South Korea and the UAE should move beyond a “brotherly relationship” to become an “economic community,” combining their strengths to “research, produce and jointly expand into third markets.”

Lee also asked the attendees, “Are you proud these days to say you are citizens of the Republic of Korea?”—a remark made as he referenced the previous administration’s alleged martial-law contingency plan.

Recalling international criticism during that period, Lee said, “A year ago the world was asking, ‘What’s wrong with that country? That must be North, right? That’s South Korea?’ But with the power of the people, we restored things beautifully and are now back on our path.” He pledged that “Korean citizens will once again feel proud” and that the government would be “a strong backing for Koreans overseas.”

Honoring UAE’s fallen and visiting national landmarks

Upon arrival, Lee visited Wahat Al Karama, a memorial honoring fallen public servants and soldiers. In the guestbook he wrote, “On behalf of the Korean people, I pay tribute to your noble sacrifice.”

He then toured Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the UAE’s iconic Islamic landmarks, and paid respects at the mausoleum of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding president. In the guestbook, Lee wrote, “Remembering President Zayed, we will move forward with strength toward a future of shared prosperity for our two nations.” First Lady Kim Hye-kyung accompanied Lee wearing a hijab in respect for local customs.

Fighter-jet escort and officials’ welcome

As Air Force One entered UAE airspace, four UAE fighter jets escorted the aircraft—an honor reserved for state visits, according to the presidential office. At the airport, prominent UAE officials, including Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak of First Abu Dhabi Bank and Korean senior presidential aide Kang Hoon-sik, who had arrived earlier as Lee’s special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, greeted the president.

On November 18, Lee is scheduled to attend an official welcome ceremony, hold a summit with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, oversee a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony, attend a state luncheon, and participate in cultural exchange events between the two countries.