Egypt and South Korea have a long history of cooperation, dating back to the Cairo Declaration in 1943, which called for Korea's independence after Japanese occupation. This declaration was a significant milestone in the two countries' relations, with Egypt playing a crucial role in supporting Korea's independence. The two nations established diplomatic relations in 1961, with South Korea opening its consulate in Cairo in 1962 and Egypt opening its consulate in Seoul in 1991.
The relationship between Egypt and South Korea has continued to grow, with the two countries signing several agreements to enhance cooperation in various fields. In 1995, they agreed to elevate their diplomatic relations to the level of ambassadors. The two countries have also established several joint committees, including the Egyptian-Korean Joint Committee on Communications and Information Technology, which was established in 2004. Additionally, the Egyptian-Korean Business Council was established in 1999 to promote economic and trade cooperation.
Economic cooperation is a key aspect of the relationship between Egypt and South Korea. South Korea has provided Egypt with $344 million in development assistance, and in 2021, Egypt was chosen as a strategic partner for South Korea in development cooperation for five years. The two countries have also seen growth in trade and investment, with South Korean companies investing in sectors such as electronics, nuclear power, and transportation. Egypt is looking to benefit from South Korea's expertise in technology and industry.
Education is another area of cooperation between Egypt and South Korea. South Korea's experience in education and industry has been seen as a model for Egypt to follow. The two countries have also cooperated in the field of human resources development, with South Korea providing training and capacity-building programs for Egyptian officials. This cooperation has helped Egypt to develop its human resources and improve its economic competitiveness.
In 2026, Egypt and South Korea took their cooperation to a new level, with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visiting South Korea in October. During his visit, el-Sisi met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and participated in a roundtable discussion with CEOs of major South Korean companies. The two leaders discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation and investment between the two countries. El-Sisi also invited South Korean companies to invest in Egypt's industrial and technology sectors.
The visit by President el-Sisi was preceded by several high-level exchanges between the two countries. In June 2026, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri met with President Lee Jae-myung and discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation and investment. Shukri also met with South Korean officials to discuss cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and green energy. These exchanges have helped to strengthen the relationship between Egypt and South Korea.
Egypt and South Korea have also cooperated in international and regional forums. During Egypt's participation in the Korean-African Ministerial Meeting in June 2026, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellati met with African ministers and discussed cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. The two countries have also cooperated in international forums, including the United Nations, on issues such as peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
Key points
- Egypt and South Korea have strengthened their economic ties, with South Korea providing development assistance and investing in sectors such as electronics and nuclear power.
- The two countries have cooperated in education and human resources development, with South Korea providing training and capacity-building programs for Egyptian officials.
- Egypt and South Korea have also cooperated in international and regional forums, including the Korean-African Ministerial Meeting and the United Nations.
