Seoul:Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the historic friendship and strong ties between Türkiye and South Korea during an official visit to Seoul. Accompanied by his wife, Emine Erdogan, he attended a dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the Presidential Palace.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Erdogan expressed his delight at visiting South Korea again after eight years, thanking President Lee and his wife for their hospitality. He highlighted the deep connection between the two nations, describing them as geographically distant but close at heart, and referred to them as "blood brothers" due to their shared history.

During his visit, Erdogan held comprehensive talks with President Lee, which he said were promising for future collaboration. He conveyed greetings from Türkiye's 80 million citizens to the people of South Korea and discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

Erdogan mentioned discussions on advancing bilateral trade beyond $11 billion to a target of $15 billion, revising the free trade agreement, and expanding cooperation in nuclear energy, battery production, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. He noted the significance of a memorandum of understanding signed between the Turkish Nuclear Energy Company and the Korea Electric Power Corporation as a foundation for nuclear energy collaboration.

In the defense sector, Erdogan highlighted opportunities for joint projects, including the Storm howitzer and the Altay main battle tank, as examples of their strategic partnership. He emphasized the aligned views of Türkiye and South Korea on international issues, supporting dialogue for peace on the Korean Peninsula and cooperation through platforms like the United Nations, MIKTA, and the G20.