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President Lee Jae Myung Invites Emir Tamim for Early State Visit

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  • President Lee Jae Myung (R) meets with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi (3rd from L), a special envoy of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 28, 2026, in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    President Lee Jae Myung (R) meets with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi (3rd from L), a special envoy of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 28, 2026, in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    President Lee Jae Myung (R) meets with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi (3rd from L), a special envoy of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 28, 2026, in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size

Invitation Delivered During Envoy Meeting at Cheong Wa Dae President Lee Jae Myung met Qatar’s special envoy Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al‑Khulaifi at the presidential office in Seoul on Jan. 28, 2026 and personally extended an invitation to Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani [1]. The invitation was conveyed face‑to‑face at Cheong Wa Dae and later announced publicly by Lee’s office [1]. An official photo of the meeting was released by the Blue House, confirming the high‑level engagement [1].

Lee Seeks Cooperation in Defense, Energy, Investment Sectors Lee told Al‑Khulaifi he wanted “frank discussions” on expanding bilateral ties, highlighting defense, investment and energy as priority areas [1]. He emphasized deepening mutual benefits and developing strategic projects that serve both nations [1]. The request formed part of the broader invitation and signals a push for concrete joint initiatives [1].

Emir’s Commitment Communicated Through Special Envoy Al‑Khulaifi reported that Emir Tamim had already pledged to strengthen cooperation with South Korea [1]. He described the courtesy call as evidence of the emir’s firm commitment to the partnership [1]. The envoy’s remarks, made at Cheong Wa Dae, underscored both sides’ readiness for accelerated dialogue [1].

Strategic Partnership Background and LNG Supply Significance South Korea and Qatar have maintained diplomatic relations since 1974 and upgraded them to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023 [1]. Qatar remains South Korea’s single largest supplier of liquefied natural gas, a cornerstone of the economic relationship [1]. The partnership underpins expanding cooperation in both economic and security domains [1].

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Timeline

1974 – South Korea and Qatar establish diplomatic relations, creating the long‑term channel that later supports extensive economic and security cooperation. [1]

2023 – The two nations upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership, making Qatar South Korea’s single largest LNG supplier and a cornerstone of its energy security. [1]

Nov 2025 – Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet in Abu Dhabi and agree to deepen AI, defense and energy ties, including joint work on the UAE’s “Stargate” AI‑computing project. [6][7][8]

Dec 9, 2025 – Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑back and UAE Minister Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei hold a Joint Higher Military Committee meeting in Seoul, committing to joint weapons development, cyber‑space and AI cooperation, plus personnel exchanges and combined drills. [8]

Dec 17, 2025 – Industry Minister Kim Jung‑kwan meets UAE Industry Minister Sultan Al Jaber in Seoul, announcing Seoul will contribute semiconductor, data‑center, engineering and construction expertise to the Stargate project and will expand joint oil‑stockpiling to boost energy security. [6]

Dec 17, 2025 – President Lee’s administration schedules defense‑policy briefings and the National Security Adviser meets U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to discuss civil uranium enrichment and spent‑fuel reprocessing, underscoring broader energy‑security coordination with the United States. [5]

Jan 14, 2026 – President Lee hosts UAE special envoy Khaldoon Al Mubarak, focusing on next steps for joint weapons development; Lee says, “The goal is to reach a basic‑level conclusion on bilateral arms‑industry cooperation by February,” and officials plan a UAE presidential visit to Seoul later this year. [4]

Jan 15, 2026 – Lee meets Khaldoon Al Mubarak again, declaring, “We aim to build a relationship that will last a hundred years,” and outlines detailed cooperation in defense, AI and energy, with basic arms‑cooperation conclusions targeted for February and a President Mohamed bin Zayed visit slated for later in 2026. [3]

Jan 20, 2026 – Lee holds a phone conversation with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, urging “frank discussions” to broaden cooperation across defense, energy and infrastructure; Tamim replies, “Korea has helped Qatar advance national development across multiple sectors,” and both leaders agree to meet in person soon. [2]

Jan 28, 2026 – President Lee invites Emir Tamim to South Korea for an early state visit, emphasizing the need for “frank discussions on ways to develop bilateral ties” in defense, investment and energy, following a prior phone call that set the stage for the meeting. [1]

Feb 2026 (target) – South Korea and the UAE aim to finalize a basic‑level framework for bilateral arms‑industry cooperation, a milestone that will pave the way for formal agreements and joint weapons production later in 2026. [3][4]

Later 2026 (planned) – The UAE president’s state visit to South Korea and the Qatari emir’s early state visit are slated for later in 2026, expected to translate the strategic partnership into concrete projects in defense, AI, energy and infrastructure. [1][4]

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