President Lee: "Korea to Be a Trusted Partner in Egypt's New Leap Forward"

President Lee Hosts State Luncheon for Egyptian President at Cheong Wa Dae
"Hope Korea and Egypt Move Forward as Closer Friends"

President Lee Jaemyung told Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the 8th, "Egypt has long been a cherished landmark at a pivotal point in Korea's journey to reach out to the world. Now, the Republic of Korea will be a trusted partner on Egypt's journey toward a new leap forward and a brighter future."

President Lee made the remarks at a state luncheon at the state guesthouse in Cheong Wa Dae for President Sisi, who was making a state visit to South Korea. "The Suez Canal is where many of our country's ships pass on their way between Asia and Europe," he said.

President Lee Jaemyung and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi toast at a luncheon welcoming him on his state visit to South Korea at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 8, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

"The ties between the Republic of Korea and Egypt are truly deep and special," President Lee said. "In 1943, when our country was in the darkness of Japanese colonial rule, Cairo was where the historic Cairo Declaration was issued, in which the international community officially pledged Korea's independence." He added, "That is why, for Koreans, Cairo is more than just the name of a city; it is also where national and ethnic hopes were first recorded in writing."

Citing an Egyptian proverb, "There is bread and salt between us," President Lee said, "Just as the saying means sharing hardship and joy through food and building deep trust and friendship, I hope Korea and Egypt will grow closer as friends and strategic partners and join hands to move toward greater prosperity." He ended his toast in Arabic, saying, "Shukran jazilan (Thank you very much)."

In response, President Sisi referred to President Lee's visit to Egypt last November, saying, "We were able to form a shared vision for expanding the close ties between our two countries." He added, "I hope our countries' relationship will develop further and bring boundless prosperity and progress to us all."

Earlier that day, at a summit meeting held before the state luncheon, President Lee said, "Egypt is also a key partner in the SHINE Initiative, my vision for the broader Middle East, which I announced at Cairo University last year." He added, "I hope our two countries will work together to achieve stability and harmony in the domestic and international environments we face, ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, and build peace."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.