[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Jae-myung Holds First Phone Call with Emir of Qatar (July 22, 2025)
[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Jae-myung Holds First Phone Call with Emir of Qatar (July 22, 2025)
📞 President Lee's First Official Dialogue with Middle East Leader
On July 22, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea held his first official phone call with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. This conversation marked the beginning of a new phase in South Korea–Middle East diplomacy under the Lee administration.
President Lee expressed appreciation for the Emir’s congratulations and praised Qatar’s development efforts under his leadership. Both leaders agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship beyond traditional cooperation, expanding into digital industries, national defense, infrastructure, and sports diplomacy.
🌐 Strategic Expansion Beyond Energy
Traditionally, Korea-Qatar cooperation focused on LNG and plant construction. However, the two nations now aim to broaden collaboration into AI, smart cities, and high-value technology sectors. President Lee emphasized the importance of Korea's participation in Qatar's Vision 2030 initiatives and national projects.
President Lee requested the Emir's active support in allowing Korean companies to participate in large-scale development plans. The Emir welcomed such cooperation and expressed interest in pursuing concrete outcomes in multiple fields.
📊 Lee’s Foreign Policy: Practical and Expansive
President Lee’s diplomatic approach emphasizes practicality and measurable results. This differs from previous administrations that prioritized symbolic engagements. His foreign policy seeks to connect Korea’s strengths—AI, semiconductors, clean energy—to strategic regions like the Middle East.
The call highlighted Korea’s technological competitiveness and its potential to become a key partner in Qatar’s economic diversification. Joint R&D, technology transfer, and talent exchange are expected to follow this high-level dialogue.
🛰 Korea’s Defense and Tech Diplomacy in Motion
Korea’s defense industry, known as “K-Defense,” is expanding its global footprint. Qatar’s growing interest in military modernization makes it a viable market for Korea’s guided weaponry, radar systems, and communication platforms. This phone call may lay the foundation for future export agreements.
Moreover, Korea’s AI capabilities—including ethical AI, public sector AI, and healthcare AI—align with Qatar’s plans for smart city development. The Emir expressed interest in deepening collaboration in such innovative fields.
🌍 Long-Term Impact on Korea–Middle East Relations
This phone call may trigger a series of high-level engagements across the Middle East. Nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia could be next in line for presidential diplomacy. Korea’s engagement in the region is expected to expand from resource-based partnerships to comprehensive strategic alliances.
It also suggests the revival of Korea–Middle East channels that had been dormant in recent years. President Lee’s goal of balanced diplomacy—looking both to the U.S. and to emerging strategic regions—is evident in this exchange.
📅 Briefing Details
- Date: July 22, 2025
- Format: Written Briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung
- Source: Official Briefing (KR)
📌 Learn More
This article is based on the official briefing released by the Office of the President of the Republic of Korea.
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