UNJournal Jon Lee | President Lee Jae-myung held a telephone conversation on January 20 with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar to discuss expanding strategic cooperation between the two nations.
According to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Nam-jun, this marked the second call between the two leaders since President Lee's inauguration. The leaders agreed to broaden collaboration across key sectors including defense and related industry, energy, and infrastructure.
During the call, President Lee commended Qatar's role as an international mediator amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He called for Qatar's continued contributions toward regional stability and easing international tensions.
President Lee also requested the Qatari government's attention and support to ensure Korean companies operating in Qatar can carry out their projects in energy, plant construction, smart cities, and infrastructure development without disruption.
Emir Tamim emphasized that South Korea has been an important partner in Qatar's national development and industrial advancement, reaffirming his confidence in the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership.
The two leaders have agreed to meet in person in the near future for a summit. The discussions are expected to focus on deepening cooperation in energy security, expanding collaboration in the defense and advanced technology sectors, and strategic communication regarding the situation in the Middle East.
South Korea and Qatar have maintained close cooperative relations centered on energy and construction since establishing diplomatic ties in 1974. In 2023, the two nations elevated their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership."
Qatar is South Korea's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplier, and the strategic importance of bilateral cooperation continues to grow amid ongoing global energy supply chain instability.
President Lee and Emir Tamim previously expressed shared interest in expanding cooperation in future strategic industries including defense and artificial intelligence during their first call in July of last year. (translated by AI, edited by David Kendall)
