President Lee Jae-myung embarked on his return journey on the 25th (local time) after completing a 10-day, 7-night tour of the Middle East and Africa. Amid increasing uncertainty in the international trade order due to U.S. protectionism and the U.S.-China hegemony competition leading to supply chain reorganization, the Presidential Office evaluated that this tour laid the groundwork for diplomatic diversification. By strengthening cooperation with emerging countries, particularly in defense industries and nuclear power plants, tangible economic outcomes are anticipated.


During the state visit to the UAE, discussions focused on cooperation in defense, nuclear power, and artificial intelligence (AI). With Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's expansion limited in Europe and North America due to an agreement with Westinghouse, both countries explored joint entry into third-country markets through cooperation in next-generation nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMR) and AI-applied nuclear power. As part of the UAE's 'Stargate UAE' project, Korea will participate in building AI data centers, deepening strategic cooperation in the AI sector. With a large defense export market anticipated due to the demand for replacing outdated weapon systems in the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries, the Presidential Office foresees a possibility of securing orders exceeding $15 billion as both countries agreed to jointly develop weapon systems during the summit.


Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi requested President Lee for Korea's participation in major construction projects, including the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the KRW 4 trillion Cairo Airport expansion. President Lee announced the 'SHINE' initiative in a speech at Cairo University, proposing to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation with the Middle East and North Africa.


In Turkey, participation in a large-scale nuclear power project was on the agenda. The Presidential Office assessed that Korea secured a foundation to participate from the initial stages, such as site evaluation, in Turkey's ongoing Sinop second nuclear power plant project, paving the way for future project bids.


During the first G20 Summit held in Africa (South Africa), which the U.S. boycotted, President Lee participated in a declaration emphasizing multilateralism and the maintenance of a free trade system. He also chaired a MIKTA summit, involving BRICS members such as India and Brazil, as well as Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, and Australia, advancing diplomatic diversification with 'Global South' countries.

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