On Thursday, 8 October 2026, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi emphasized Egypt's commitment to maintaining stability in the Middle East at a luncheon in Seoul, South Korea. The event was hosted in his honor by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. El-Sisi stressed that Egypt would continue to play a pivotal role in supporting global peace and upholding the principles of the United Nations.
El-Sisi's remarks highlighted Egypt's strategic balance policy, which aims to foster a balanced and diversified approach to foreign relations based on mutual respect and shared interests. This policy is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between Egypt and South Korea. The two countries recently announced a new strategic partnership covering political, defense, economic, cultural, and regional cooperation.
The strategic partnership builds on diplomatic exchanges following Lee's visit to Egypt in November 2025, which marked 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. During this visit, El-Sisi and Lee welcomed the launch of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. They also agreed to expand cooperation in various sectors, including shipbuilding, electric vehicles, energy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and smart cities.
El-Sisi also proposed the establishment of an integrated Korean industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone during a roundtable discussion with representatives of 23 leading Korean companies. This industrial zone would serve as a production and export hub for Egypt and regional markets, with cooperation extending to local manufacturing, technology transfer, and workforce training.
The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen cultural exchanges between their countries. They designated 2027 as a year of cultural exchanges and agreed to increase scholarships, Korean-language teaching, youth training, and technical and vocational education in Egypt. According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, bilateral trade between Egypt and South Korea fell 8.7 percent to $640.3 million in the first half of 2026.
El-Sisi praised South Korea's comprehensive development, which combines cultural and heritage preservation with education and innovation. He expressed his appreciation for Lee's warm reception and generous hospitality, saying they reflected the Korean people's generosity and traditions rooted in a long history of civilization. El-Sisi also thanked Lee for his visit to Egypt in November 2025, which made a tangible contribution to advancing bilateral relations.
The visit resulted in the signing of 12 MoUs and agreements between Egypt and South Korea. The countries' joint statement reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. They identified several areas for continued dialogue, including the Palestinian issue, water security, developments in the Horn of Africa, Yemen and Libya, and freedom of international navigation.
Key points
- Egypt and South Korea have established a strategic partnership covering political, defense, economic, cultural, and regional cooperation.
- El-Sisi proposed the establishment of an integrated Korean industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
- The two countries designated 2027 as a year of cultural exchanges and agreed to strengthen scholarships, Korean-language teaching, and technical and vocational education in Egypt.
