Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday engaged in a significant dialogue with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, focusing on the enhancement of bilateral relations as well as addressing regional and global issues. During the phone call, Erdogan congratulated Lee on his recent election victory and expressed optimism about advancing the strategic partnership between Trkiye and South Korea in the near future.
According to Anadolu Agency, the conversation marked a pivotal moment as Erdogan underscored the potential for collaboration in diverse sectors, including nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, green energy, and the defense industry. Erdogan also extended an invitation to President Lee to visit Trkiye, further cementing the ties between the two nations.
Lee, representing the Democratic Party, secured his presidency in a landslide victory last month, embarking on a six-year term. In his statement, Lee expressed his pleasure in holding the inaugural conversation with President Erdogan, hailing Trkiye as a brother nation due to its significant support during the Korean War. Trkiye had been one of the largest contributors of troops, sending substantial forces in response to the United Nations' call during the war.
The remains of 462 out of the 721 Turkish soldiers who perished in the war rest in the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea, where they are frequently commemorated by Korean visitors. President Lee affirmed the enduring historic bond between the two countries, emphasizing their shared commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership.
Both leaders agreed to collaborate closely to further advance their friendship and cooperation in mutually beneficial areas such as defense, nuclear energy, and green energy. Trkiye and South Korea initially established political ties in August 1949, subsequently forming diplomatic relations in 1957. The bilateral relationship has seen consistent growth, culminating in the elevation to a strategic partnership in 2012, with the trade volume reaching approximately $10 billion.
Furthermore, as members of the G20, Trkiye and South Korea, alongside Indonesia, Mexico, and Australia, have been part of the MIKTA partnership since 2013, reflecting their influential roles in the global economic landscape.