The UAE will celebrate South Korea’s National Day on October 3 to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries
South Korea and the UAE established bilateral diplomatic ties in 1980.
Over the years, both countries have broadened their relationship in various sectors such as clean energy, oil, tourism, logistical services and culture.
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is a key strategic joint project between the two countries that further strengthens the relationship.
In August, the Barakah plant produced its first megawatt of clean and environment-friendly electricity using nuclear energy.
The notable achievement came less than three weeks after the plant became operational.
It was a crucial first step in an ambitious journey with an ultimate goal to deliver 25 per cent of the UAE's electricity with zero carbon emissions for several decades.
In September, the two countries signed agreements to co-operate in ten new sectors including science, oil and gas and infrastructure over the next two years.
Non-oil trade with South Korea, a key importer of hydrocarbons from the Middle East, reached $5 billion (Dh18.3bn) in 2019.
Both countries will explore joint investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, communication, information technology, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G technology, smart agriculture, green economy, energy, including renewables, science and innovation, education, tourism, financial services and transportation.
The UAE is the second-largest oil exporter to South Korea and the second leading trade importer from South Korea in the Middle East.
South Korea’s key exports to the UAE include electronics, vehicles, oil equipment and facilities while the Emirates exports include raw oil, oil products, aluminium and liquefied petroleum gas to South Korea.
Nearly 11,000 Emiratis visit South Korea every year and over 200,000 South Korean tourists come to the UAE.
In January, the two countries launched the UAE-Korea Cultural Dialogue 2020 that will involve a series of events held in both countries focusing on literature, food and music.
During the Covid-19 crisis, the UAE evacuated South Korean citizens and their families from Tehran during the peak of the virus in the region.
The UAE is now home to about half of all South Korean residents in the Gulf, with about 13,000 residing in the country, according to the Korean consulate general in the Emirates.
