Yoon Suk-yeol's chief of staff makes trip to UAE

Kim Dae-ki, President Yoon Suk-yeol's chief of staff, kicked off a four-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday as a special presidential envoy.

Kim Dae-ki, President Yoon Suk-yeol’s chief of staff, speaks in a meeting in Seoul on Oct. 3. [NEWS1]

Kim Dae-ki, President Yoon Suk-yeol's chief of staff, kicked off a four-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday as a special presidential envoy.

The presidential office said that Kim will meet with key UAE officials to discuss "ways to strengthen the special strategic partnership" between the two countries.

Kim is also expected to pay a courtesy call on UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

There is special interest in cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.

This is Kim's first overseas trip as chief of staff.

In September, Yoon met with UAE's presidential envoy to Seoul Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi, and discussed ways to advance the two countries' bilateral cooperation.

During the visit, the UAE envoy proposed increasing cooperation in nuclear energy development, energy security, defense manufacturing and investment.

In May, a newly elected Yoon sent People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Chang Je-won as a special envoy to attend the funeral of UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and pay condolences on behalf of Korea. Chang served as Yoon's chief of staff during the presidential transition period.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]