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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands after a joint press announcement at the presidential palace in Ankara, Türkiye, on Nov. 24 last year (local time). / Yonhap News Agency

President Lee Jae Myung will hold a summit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Nov. 3 to further expand economic cooperation, particularly in nuclear power and defense. The two leaders are expected to review progress on cooperation projects agreed upon at last year's summit, broaden cooperation into future industries such as biotechnology, energy, and science and technology, and exchange views on major international issues, including developments on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East.

In a written briefing that day, presidential spokesperson Kim Sung-wan said, "President Lee will welcome President Erdogan and his wife at Cheong Wa Dae in the afternoon for an official welcoming ceremony, a summit, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony and a state dinner."

According to Cheong Wa Dae, the two leaders will discuss ways to turn the cooperation plans developed during Lee's state visit to Türkiye last November into concrete results.

In particular, strengthening cooperation in nuclear power and defense is expected to be a major agenda item, alongside expanding trade and investment. The two countries are also expected to explore new cooperation projects in future industries where both have strengths, including biotechnology, energy, and science and technology.

Around 80 guests from various sectors in both countries will attend the state dinner following the summit. South Korean attendees will include major business leaders such as Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa and Hyundai Rotem CEO Lee Yong-bae.

Fire Captain Yang Young-an, who helped rescue survivors of the devastating 2023 earthquake in Türkiye as leader of Rescue Team 4 in the first contingent of South Korea's emergency relief team, has also been invited to the dinner.

The dinner will feature Korean cuisine incorporating Turkish culinary traditions through Korean ingredients and cooking methods. Toward the end of the dinner, Turkish-born haegeum player Tam Cevdet will perform with the National Gugak Center's Contemporary Gugak Orchestra, followed by a performance by Korean vocal duo HoonDoo.

"The event will provide an opportunity to reflect on the special ties between the two countries, forged through the Korean War and the 2002 World Cup, and to deepen cultural understanding and friendship," Kim said.

Special arrangements have also been made for the official welcoming ceremony. A welcome video will be displayed on large screens along Sejong-daero, while welcome messages using media facades will be shown on Lotte World Tower and N Seoul Tower.

Lee will present Erdogan with a red ginseng gift set and a Korean national basketball team jersey. The gifts reflect Erdogan's interest in health and basketball. The jersey will feature the national flags of both countries on the front and Erdogan's name and "1957," the year the two countries established diplomatic relations, on the back.

Erdogan's wife, First Lady Emine Erdogan, will receive a celadon tea set and a copy of I Cook Rice, a book written by South Korean First Lady Kim Hae Kyung.

Cheong Wa Dae said the gifts were chosen in consideration of Emine Erdogan's interest in Turkish tea culture and cooking.

                                                                                                         Park Young-hoon