Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to the president, returned home on the 16th after completing his mission as a special condolence envoy for Qatar's Father Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
According to the Presidential Office, Kang returned on the afternoon of the 16th after paying his respects to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, who passed away on the 12th. Kang attended a condolence event held at Lusail Palace in Qatar on the 15th, where he conveyed President Lee Jae-myung's special condolences to Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Presidential Office said Emir Tamim expressed gratitude for the Korean government dispatching a high-level condolence delegation during a difficult time, and remarked that this could help elevate relations between the two countries to a higher level.
Kang also held conversations locally with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani.
At the meeting, Kang assessed that the achievements of Father Emir Hamad, symbolized by the "Qatar National Vision 2030," laid the foundation for the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in 2023. He also expressed hope that the two nations would continue to expand the horizons of cooperation based on the trust between their leaders.
Meeting reporters after arriving at the airport that day, Kang explained, "Given the Middle East situation once again, Korean nationals in Qatar were also concerned." He added, "Korea conveyed its commitment to deep solidarity with Qatar, and I returned after pledging to further solidify our cooperative relationship until the political conflict in the Middle East ends."
Earlier, President Lee sent a message of condolence regarding the passing of Father Emir Hamad. In the process of the government consulting on dispatching a special condolence envoy, Qatar reportedly specifically requested Kang as the envoy. Kang also visited Qatar in April as the president's special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, where he paid a courtesy call on Emir Tamim and discussed energy supply chains and economic cooperation measures.
