A landmark meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Ankara has set a new milestone in Turkish-Korean relations, emphasizing deep-rooted ties forged since the Korean War, according to Burhanettin Duran, head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate.

During the summit, the two leaders discussed a wide range of strategic issues, including defense, energy, nuclear technology, regional peace, and the reconstruction of conflict-affected areas such as Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine. A comprehensive exchange of views on current regional and global challenges was held, alongside the signing of agreements in multiple sectors to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

President Erdoğan highlighted the growing defense partnership with South Korea, citing the recent delivery of the Altay Tank to the Turkish Armed Forces as a prime example of successful collaboration. “We can take many steps together in the future,” Erdoğan said, outlining a broader vision for joint projects in the defense industry.

Energy cooperation was another central topic of the talks. Erdoğan noted that inter-institutional discussions on establishing a nuclear power plant are ongoing and described the memorandum of understanding signed between the Turkish Nuclear Energy Corporation and Korea Electric Power Corporation as a strategic milestone for Türkiye’s clean energy vision.

The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to working together on reconstruction efforts in Syria, Gaza, Ukraine, and other regions including Iraq, Africa, and Central Asia. Both nations expressed a shared stance on maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza, protecting civilians, and supporting a two-state solution.

Duran emphasized that the visit opened the door to expanded cooperation across sectors such as energy, defense, transportation, infrastructure, high technology, culture, and tourism. He added that Türkiye-South Korea relations, built on a legacy of brotherhood, are poised to continue strengthening through concrete steps in the years ahead. (ILKHA)