President Lee Jae-myung signed seven Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), space, and nuclear energy with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the 18th (local time). Korea agreed to participate in the 'Stargate UAE' project, which is being promoted by the UAE with OpenAI, valued at KRW 30 trillion. Additionally, in the energy and resources sector, the scale of the oil stockpiling project, which allows Korea to secure priority purchase rights for UAE crude oil in the event of an oil supply crisis, will be expanded from 4 million barrels to 10 million barrels. This visit to the UAE marks President Lee's first state visit since taking office.

President Lee and President Mohammed held their first summit meeting for 57 minutes at the UAE Presidential Palace and agreed to announce the 'Joint Declaration for a New Leap in the 100-Year Partnership between Korea and the UAE.' Ha Jung-woo, Chief of the Presidential AI Future Planning, stated in a briefing, "The two countries agreed to expand cooperation in AI and energy infrastructure, core supply chains including semiconductors, and physical AI such as robotics, to support the AI transformation."

They also agreed to expand cooperation in entering third-country nuclear power plant markets and in nuclear technology development. Chief Ha stated, "Korea Electric Power Corporation and the UAE Nuclear Energy Corporation have signed an MOU for joint entry into third-country nuclear power plant markets," adding, "A next-generation integrated overseas business model, surpassing the Barakah nuclear power plant, can be secured as a package-type project including follow-up nuclear power plants, small modular reactors (SMRs), and renewable energy smart plants."

In the defense sector, they agreed to pursue joint exports to third countries through joint weapon development and local production. Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of the Presidential Secretariat, emphasized, "Through this summit, achievements exceeding USD 100 billion are expected, including USD 20 billion in AI cooperation, USD 15 billion in defense exports, and USD 70.4 billion in K-Culture," adding, "This will mark the beginning of an economic alliance."

During the summit, President Lee emphasized, "Korea is ready to cooperate comprehensively for the '100-Year Partnership' between the two countries." President Mohammed stated, "The UAE is your second country," expressing hope to enhance cooperation with Korea in the fields of science, technology, and innovation.

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