Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
South Korea and Egypt are moving to strengthen their defense and diplomatic ties at a pivotal moment for the Middle East, following a summit in Cairo on Thursday between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Lee’s visit, part of a four-nation tour, reflects Seoul’s accelerating efforts to expand its footprint in the region beyond traditional economic cooperation and toward broader security and technological partnerships.
At a joint press conference after the meeting, President Lee described both nations as “promoters of peace,” emphasizing their mutual interest in stability across the Middle East and on the Korean Peninsula. He praised Egypt’s persistent efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis there, saying Seoul supports Cairo’s mediation efforts and intends to deepen collaboration in conflict resolution.
In an op-ed published earlier the same day in the Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram, Lee commended Egypt’s diplomatic resilience throughout the two years of war between Israel and Hamas. He characterized Egypt as a mediator “that never gave up on resolving conflict through dialogue,” acknowledging Cairo’s role as one of the few actors consistently engaged in brokering negotiations.
The Cairo summit also spotlighted defense industry cooperation, an area both governments increasingly view as central to their evolving relationship. Lee expressed hope that existing collaborations, such as the joint production of the K9 self-propelled howitzer, will expand to include new platforms like the FA-50 light combat aircraft and the Cheongeom air-launched anti-tank guided missile. In 2023, the two countries signed a $1.66 billion deal for K9 howitzers, and negotiations for FA-50 aircraft have been ongoing.
The South Korean president’s visit to Egypt followed a three-day stop in the United Arab Emirates, where Seoul and Abu Dhabi agreed to pursue up to $15 billion in potential defense projects. The accord includes plans for joint development and local manufacturing of defense systems for markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America. The diplomatic momentum in the Gulf and North Africa coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Korea–Egypt diplomatic relations, first established in 1995. Since 2016, the two nations have maintained what they call a “comprehensive cooperative partnership.”
For South Korea, the renewed focus on the Middle East marks a shift from the country’s earlier role in regional infrastructure development during the construction boom of past decades. Today, Seoul views the region as a critical partner in nuclear energy, defense cooperation and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence. With heightened geopolitical volatility across the Middle East, experts say South Korea’s overtures are both timely and potentially transformative.
Jang Ji-hyang, director of the Middle East and North Africa Center at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, noted that Lee’s recent diplomacy could help South Korean defense firms distinguish themselves globally. Unlike traditional arms suppliers, she said, South Korea seeks to position itself as a partner providing both technology and long-term industrial collaboration. For many Middle Eastern countries seeking to diversify their defense capabilities and develop domestic industries, this approach is especially appealing.
Another expert, Sung Il-kwang of Sogang University’s Euro-MENA Institute, cautioned that Seoul must communicate its intentions clearly to avoid any perception that it aims to fuel regional conflicts. He stressed that South Korea’s defense engagement should be framed squarely within the context of contributing to regional stability. According to Sung, Lee’s upcoming address on Middle East diplomacy at Cairo University would be “an unprecedented move,” reflecting the sensitivity of the moment and the stakes involved.
As President Lee’s Middle East tour continues, both South Korea and its regional partners appear eager to redefine the contours of their cooperation. Whether these initiatives ultimately reshape the defense landscape or reinforce diplomatic channels for conflict resolution, the Cairo summit suggests a shared willingness to pursue new forms of partnership amid one of the world’s most unpredictable geopolitical environments.
