Cooperation between Ankara, Seoul has grown stronger: South Korean official

Muhammet Tarhan and Zeynep Katre Oran

South Korea’s vice foreign minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence said long-standing ties and cooperation between his country and Türkiye have grown stronger in recent years in areas from the defense industry to energy, and from technology to infrastructure.

Speaking to Anadolu on sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Jeong Yeon-doo said Turkish troops sent during the Korean War, an important “sacrifice” for maintaining “peace and democracy in the Korean peninsula.”

“Türkiye and (South) Korea call each other brothers,” he said.

He noted that relations have strengthened since diplomatic ties were established more than six decades ago, and that South Korea and Türkiye are “responsible partners in global security and economy.”

Noting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s official visit to Türkiye last November, Jeong said memorandums of understanding covering cooperation in various fields were signed during the visit.

Jeong underlined that cooperation could be expanded into fields such as biochemistry, health, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electric vehicles and space.

By acting in a “spirit of cooperation,” the two nations can develop new military equipment and thereby expand their market on a global scale.

He underscored that at a time of growing international security and economic uncertainty, countries with similar perspectives, such as Türkiye and South Korea, could act together to help address global challenges.

He underlined that the two sides already demonstrated a “success story” in defense industry cooperation, and nuclear energy was one of the key areas for future cooperation.

Pointing out Türkiye’s homegrown tanks, Altay, he said Seoul is glad to have collaborated with Turkish authorities in producing “such a fantastic tank.”