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President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea holds an expanded summit with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on November 18. / Yonhap News

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), launched a full-fledged “sales diplomacy” drive on November 18 by signing seven memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in sectors ranging from defense and nuclear energy to artificial intelligence and space cooperation.

During summit talks held in Abu Dhabi, the two leaders discussed broad bilateral cooperation in investment, defense and arms, AI-powered nuclear and energy technologies, advanced industries, healthcare and culture. They then signed seven MOUs, including:

– the Korea–UAE Strategic Cooperation Framework,
– an MOU on AI collaboration,
– an MOU on space cooperation,
– an administrative and operational MOU for the Korea–UAE CEPA economic cooperation committee,
– a comprehensive biohealth cooperation MOU,
– an amended agreement on deepened intellectual property collaboration, and
– a partnership MOU on next-generation nuclear technologies, AI and global market cooperation.

President Lee stressed that Korea is fully prepared to expand cooperation in all areas. Citing the UAE’s Vision 2071 to become one of the world’s leading nations by its centennial, he said, “Both President Mohammed and I understand that Korea is a crucial partner in the UAE’s historic journey.”

Lee highlighted in particular the UAE’s ambition to become a “global AI hub,” emphasizing that Korean companies can play an essential role. Pointing to OpenAI and other global players expanding partnerships with South Korean firms, Lee said these moves show “Korea is an indispensable technology partner in building AI infrastructure.”

The president added that under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), tariffs on more than 90 percent of traded items—including Korean electric and hybrid vehicles and UAE petrochemical products—are set to be eliminated. This is expected to accelerate cooperation in energy and resources, supply chains, digital sectors and bioeconomy, while spurring new investments.

Explaining why he chose the UAE as his first Middle Eastern destination since taking office, Lee said it reflected “the Korean government’s strong commitment to deepening bilateral ties,” adding that the visit would serve as “a foundation for a new leap forward toward a century-long partnership.”

On November 19, the final day of his UAE itinerary, Lee will attend a Korea–UAE business roundtable to discuss economic cooperation with industry leaders. Later, he will meet with members of the Akh Unit before departing for Egypt, South Africa for the G20 Summit, and Türkiye, before returning to Korea on November 26.