ALBAWABA- Turkey and South Korea have agreed to expand cooperation across defense, nuclear energy, trade and technology, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced Monday following talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Ankara.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Erdoğan said the two governments are exploring new joint initiatives in the defense sector and that technical consultations are underway on cooperation to build a nuclear power plant in Turkey.
He described President Lee’s visit as a step that would “further strengthen the solid relationship” between the two countries.
The leaders discussed a broad agenda, including trade, tourism, infrastructure projects, energy partnerships, advanced technology, and mutual investments.
Bilateral trade has surpassed $10 billion and is approaching $15 billion, Erdoğan said, noting that South Korea is Turkey’s second-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
Erdoğan welcomed Hyundai’s new investment to produce electric vehicles at its İzmit plant in Kocaeli Province. He also highlighted existing cooperation in defense industries, citing the joint work on Turkey’s Altay battle tank as a successful example of strategic partnership. Both sides agreed to pursue additional future steps in the defense sector.
The two presidents also pledged to continue coordination in international forums, including the United Nations and the G20.
On regional issues, Erdoğan said Turkey and South Korea both support a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and back efforts to sustain the Gaza ceasefire and stop civilian casualties.
He called on countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so, saying the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital is essential for lasting peace.
Addressing the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdoğan said Turkey will continue to support diplomatic efforts, particularly the Istanbul negotiation track, to secure a permanent settlement. He affirmed that Turkey’s stance on promoting a negotiated solution “has not changed,” adding that he is scheduled to meet both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.
Erdoğan also said he sees potential for joint Turkish–South Korean engagement in regions including Syria, Gaza, Iraq, Africa, Central Asia, and in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
