South Korean president calls Türkiye 'brotherly nation bound by blood'

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has characterized the relationship between Seoul and Ankara as "brotherly nations bound by blood," emphasizing the deep historical ties and shared strategic interests between the two countries ahead of his official visit to Türkiye.

Historical Bonds and Strategic Partnership

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu, President Lee highlighted the nations' shared history of defending freedom and democracy together. "Türkiye is a strategic partner for Korea and an important hub in the Eurasian region," Lee stated, underscoring his commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership. The South Korean leader's remarks come preceding his two-day official visit to Türkiye beginning Monday.

Defense Industry Collaboration

The president pointed to robust bilateral cooperation in defense technology, noting complementary strengths between the two nations. "Türkiye has established global leadership in unmanned aerial systems, while Korea excels in advanced platforms such as tanks, artillery, and naval vessels," Lee explained. He highlighted the Altay Main Battle Tank production program as a prime example of successful defense partnership and expressed hope for expanded cooperation through mutual trust.

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Economic and Technological Cooperation

Lee identified multiple sectors for enhanced collaboration, including nuclear power, biohealth, digital transformation, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. Regarding nuclear energy, he confirmed ongoing discussions about South Korean companies participating in Türkiye's Sinop Nuclear Power Plant project, expressing confidence in Seoul's ability to contribute substantially with its world-class nuclear technology and safety expertise.

Trade and Investment Relations

The South Korean president emphasized Türkiye's growing importance as a global supply chain hub for Korean companies, citing $4.6 billion in direct investments from firms like Hyundai, Samsung, POSCO, and Hyosung. "Through its robust industrial base, skilled workforce, and extensive network of trade agreements, Türkiye has become an essential partner for Korean companies," Lee stated, noting the significant job creation and export growth resulting from these investments.