President Lee Jae Myung, who is on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 17 delivers an opening speech at a dinner with Korean residents of the Middle Eastern country at a hotel in Abu Dhabi. (Yonhap News)

By Park Hye Ri

President Lee Jae Myung, who is on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Nov. 17 met with Korean residents there and expressed a firm commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

At a dinner held a hotel in Abu Dhabi, he said, "Our two countries will join hands to firmly open a new path toward shared prosperity," adding, "Beyond being brotherly nations, both sides must develop into an economic community that shares research and production."

"Korea must also expand into Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and the UAE could serve as a strategic base camp in the Mideast."

President Lee also noted the remarkable economic growth of both countries, saying, "Korea is the only country among those liberated from colonial rule to industrialize and become a democracy, and this extraordinary growth will go down in human history."

He also called the UAE "a truly remarkable country that invests in renewable energy, nuclear power, and advanced science and technology despite its ability to amass wealth without worry by selling its black gold (oil). "

On cultural exchange, President Lee said, "Korean culture, aka K-culture, has apparently attracted considerable interest in the UAE," adding, "Through the UAE, we can further expand to Africa, the Arab world and eventually to the rest of the globe."

He also thanked Koreans in the UAE, saying, "Thank you for your hard work and Korea will now definitely become your strong supporter."

On Nov. 18, President Lee will attend a bilateral summit with UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on raising bilateral cooperation under their special strategic partnership.

hrhr@korea.kr