South Korean President visits UAE, Saudi; Signs deal for missiles worth multi-billion dollars, alongside 13 strategic agreements with Saudi

Riyadh/Seoul: – South Korean President Moon Jae-in denounced the drone attacks in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying, ‘We express our serious concern over acts that threaten peace and stability in the Middle East region, including the UAE, and we strongly condemn attacks on civilians and the taking of lives as unacceptable acts of terrorism.’ The South Korean President gave this reaction during his UAE visit. President Moon Jae-in announced that South Korea would be selling missiles worth $3.5 billion to UAE.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is visiting the Middle East countries. President Moon Jae-in started his Middle East visit with UAE. The South Korean President said, ‘Our relationship of 41 years is rapidly developing, with the UAE as their biggest trade partner in the region. UAE is the biggest trading partner of South Korea in the Middle East region. South Korea desires to establish all-inclusive economic cooperation with UAE in the coming times.’

The South Korean President was present in Dubai during the drone attacks carried out by the Houthi rebels on the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. President Moon Jae-in denounced these attacks targeting the UAE capital in harsh words. At the same time, the South Korean President criticised the action taken against the UAE freight ship sailing through the Red Sea. During his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, President Moon Jae-in discussed the attacks carried out by the Houthi rebels. He also expressed hope that the ship and the sailors detained by the Houthi rebels would be returned safely. The South Korean President signed important agreements with UAE and Saudi during this Middle East visit. South Korea signed a vital agreement to supply Surface-To-Air missiles worth $3.5 billion to the UAE. The discussions regarding the purchase of these interceptors capable of targeting a missile at the height of up to 40 kilometres were held between UAE and South Korea in November. The defence cooperation between the two countries gains further importance taking into account the increasing attacks by the Houthi rebels.

The South Korean President proceeded to Saudi after UAE signed 13 important agreements with Saudi. These include agreements in energy, production, smart infrastructure, digitalisation and health systems sectors. At the same time, President Moon Jae-in also discussed Hydrogen Economy with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. After Saudi, the South Korean President will be travelling to Egypt for a visit.

The air defence system purchased by UAE from South Korea is considered a super-advanced system. South Korea has US-made THAD and Patriot air defence systems. South Korea is trying to build an indigenous air defence system like the Israeli Iron Dome. Whereas, only two days ago, South Korea tested Missile destroying laser.