Yoon Suk Yeol lands in UAE with fighter jet escorts

President Yoon Suk Yeol was set to hold a summit with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Sunday, which was expected to focus on nuclear energy, arms and infrastructure cooperation.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, accompanied by first lady Kim Keon Hee, center, speaks with United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials after arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport in Abu Dhabi, kicking off a state visit Saturday. [YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk Yeol was set to hold a summit with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Sunday, which was expected to focus on nuclear energy, arms and infrastructure cooperation.

On Saturday, Yoon, first lady Kim Keon-hee and their entourage departed on Air Force One from Seoul Air Base in Gyeonggi, kicking off an eight-day trip to the UAE and Switzerland.

Yoon's jet was escorted by four UAE Air Force fighters as it entered the UAE's airspace for a four-day state visit.

After arriving at the Abu Dhabi International Airport on Saturday afternoon, Yoon was greeted by UAE officials including Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazroui and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi.

This is Yoon's first trip to the Middle East since taking office last May. He is the first Korean president to make a state visit to the UAE since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1980.

Yoon is also the first foreign leader to pay a state visit to the UAE since President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was inaugurated in May 2022.

Yoon was accompanied by a large business delegation comprised of representatives of some 100 companies. There were also seven ministers in his entourage.

On Saturday evening, he met with some 150 Korean residents in Abu Dhabi and called the two countries "optimal partners" as the UAE is the only Middle Eastern nation to have a so-called special strategic partnership with Korea.

"The UAE, which is preparing for a post-oil era, and Korea, with its innovative ideas and technological prowess, are optimal partners," said Yoon. "On the occasion of this state visit, I will establish a foothold for a groundbreaking leap for the future co-prosperity of our two countries."

On Sunday, the two countries were expected to sign some 30 memoranda of understanding in the energy, arms and investment sectors.

They were also expected to discuss ways to upgrade the special strategic partnership.

During the four-day visit to the UAE, Yoon will make a visit to the Korean Army's Akh unit and the Barakah nuclear power plant.

Korea deployed the Akh unit in January 2011 to help train the UAE's special forces during peace time and protect Korean residents there. The Akh unit's name comes from the Arabic word for "brother."

The Barakah nuclear power plant built by South Korean companies in Abu Dhabi's far western desert, is the first such facility in the Arab region. Yoon was expected to reiterate his plans to end his predecessor's policy of weaning Korea off nuclear power on this visit, according to the presidential office.

Yoon's visit coincides with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which runs from Saturday to Thursday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, and first lady Kim Keon-hee visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi Sunday during a state visit to the United Arab Emirates. [YONHAP]

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