South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was welcomed to Abu Dhabi by President Sheikh Mohamed as he embarked on a four-day visit.
He was accompanied by first lady Kim Keon-hee, and together they attended an official reception ceremony at Qasr Al Watan on Sunday.
The occasion included a performance of the South Korean national anthem, followed by 21-artillery rounds fired, and guards of honour lining up to salute the distinguished guest.
"I was pleased to welcome President Yoon Suk Yeol to the UAE," Sheikh Mohamed said.
"We had fruitful discussions and witnessed the signing of several agreements and MOUs.
"Our Special Strategic Partnership with the Republic of Korea will continue to strengthen and serve our common interests and goals."
Mr Yoon was greeted on Saturday at the Presidential Airport by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Khaldoon Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and member of the Executive Council, and Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
Emirati fighter jets accompanied the plane carrying the South Korean president as it entered the UAE's airspace to greet the country's guest.
The visit formally began on Sunday, state news agency Wam said.
Mr Yoon will hold talks with President Sheikh Mohamed and is here for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which runs from January 14 to 19.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Yoon will explore ways to bolster co-operation in line with a strategic partnership in place between their nations.
The South Korean leader will meet a number of state officials and visit development projects during the trip, Wam said.
Discussions will centre on nuclear energy, climate change, health, the space sector, smart agriculture and culture.
“Choosing the UAE as the first foreign visit [of 2023] reflects President Yoon's determination to enhance the strategic partnership with the UAE in energy, investment, defence and nuclear energy,” said Kim Sung Han, South Korea's National Security Adviser, in comments carried by Wam.
The UAE and South Korea are working to strengthen ties. In December, Sheikh Mohamed met Kim Dae Ki, a special envoy of the South Korean President, at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi.
Mr Kim delivered a written message from Mr Yoon, which spoke of the friendship between the nations, and the co-operation and opportunities to develop them further within the framework of the two countries' partnership.
During the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of expanding current co-operation and partnership between the UAE and South Korea, especially in economy, trade, investment, energy in its various traditional and renewable sectors, advanced technology and other fields that relate to economic diversification plans and building a knowledge-based economy that have been adopted by both countries.
The UAE and South Korea forged diplomatic ties in 1980, with relations flourishing in the decades since.
South Korea played a leading role in the construction of the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first such facility of its kind in the Arab world.
The nations have also worked in partnership in the space sector, pooling their expertise to send satellites up.
“President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit from January 14 to 17 brings new expectations and hope,” Yoo Jeh Seung, South Korean ambassador to the UAE, told The National this week.
“Our two countries have, up to this point, been considered brotherly nations with a special strategic partnership, but now, given the significance of this visit, we see an opportunity to take off for a greater future.”
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
The Energy Research Centre
Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Frida%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarla%20Gutierrez%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Frida%20Kahlo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Fast%20X
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Louis%20Leterrier%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vin%20Diesel%2C%20Michelle%20Rodriguez%2C%20Jason%20Statham%2C%20Tyrese%20Gibson%2C%20Ludacris%2C%20Jason%20Momoa%2C%20John%20Cena%2C%20Jordana%20Brewster%2C%20Nathalie%20Emmanuel%2C%20Sung%20Kang%2C%20Brie%20Larson%2C%20Helen%20Mirren%20and%20Charlize%20Theron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
