Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik visited the United Arab Emirates as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation and secured a "Defense Cooperation Framework MOU" worth over $35 billion covering the entire defense industry lifecycle. Combined with $30 billion in cooperation MOUs for artificial intelligence and nuclear power, the two sides agreed to pursue joint projects exceeding $65 billion (92 trillion won).
Kang met with reporters at Incheon International Airport on the 26th after completing his UAE trip. "Through in-depth discussions at the highest level, we agreed to jointly pursue projects worth more than $65 billion—$35 billion in defense and $30 billion in investment cooperation," he said. He added, "We will expedite working-level consultations on nuclear power, AI, advanced technology, and cultural cooperation to produce tangible results ahead of the summit."
Kang also said he "paid a courtesy call on President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and delivered a personal letter from President Lee Jae-myung inviting him to visit Korea." This is expected to formalize President Mohamed's visit to Korea. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, is also scheduled to visit Korea again around March or April.
However, Kang declined to elaborate on the specific details of the $35 billion defense exports. "It's difficult to provide specific details," he said, explaining only that the figure combines "integrated aviation weapons, advanced air power, and naval power." Regarding the timing of President Mohamed's visit, Kang said, "Diplomatic protocol prevents disclosure." On the $30 billion investment cooperation, he said, "Specific details will be announced around May. Please understand that we have reached agreement on the amount, direction, and timing."
On joint entry into third countries in the nuclear sector, Kang said, "Global demand for nuclear power has broadened and strengthened due to the surge in AI and data centers." He added, "It would not be appropriate to reveal which countries we will jointly enter, given competitors and counterpart nations involved." He noted that participation in the UAE "Stargate Project" agreed upon last year "is progressing steadily, and the direction of investment and cooperation will become more concrete."