Lee: "Expand nuclear power and defense industry cooperation with Turkiye"... Erdogan: "Conclude FTA improvement talks soon"

Lee: "Cooperation between our countries is progressing at a rapid pace"
Emphasizes "deepening the strategic partnership"
Erdogan: "Pursue joint projects in third countries"

President Lee Jaemyung proposed on Nov. 3 that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expand cooperation in strategic industries, including nuclear power, defense and energy. President Erdogan said the two countries should promptly conclude talks on improving their free trade agreement (FTA).

President Lee Jaemyung speaks to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during an expanded South Korea-Turkiye summit at the Blue House on Nov. 3, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

In his opening remarks at the expanded South Korea-Turkiye summit, held that afternoon in Jiphyeonsil Hall in the main building of Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee said, "I hope we can further broaden cooperation between our two countries in various fields, including nuclear power, the defense industry, energy, and science and technology."

President Lee added, "At our summit last year, you said that getting started quickly was most important for cooperation between our two countries." He said, "I am pleased to see that cooperation between our two countries has in fact advanced at a very rapid pace."

President Lee also highlighted the shared goal of improving the lives of the people of both countries. He said, "You have led your country for many years, working for Turkiye's development and the happiness of its people," adding, "As I, too, seek to pursue politics that will improve the lives of our people, I deeply empathize with your efforts over the years."

In response, President Erdogan expressed his intention to strengthen cooperation to expand economic ties. "We want to develop trade between our two countries, which has exceeded $11 billion, in a balanced manner and further increase its volume," he said. "It would also be desirable to promptly conclude talks on improving the free trade agreement (FTA)." In particular, regarding cooperation with Korean companies, he added, "We could pursue joint projects in third countries."

President Lee Jaemyung speaks to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during an expanded Korea-Türkiye summit at Cheong Wa Dae on Nov. 3, 2026. Yonhap News Agency.

President Erdogan also emphasized the historical ties between the two countries. "Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," he said. "We are further developing our relationship in every field with the Republic of Korea, a friendly nation, a blood ally and a strategic partner."

Those attending the summit for South Korea included Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Kwang-hyun, Policy Chief Ha Joon-kyung, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan, and National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac. Turkish attendees included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, and Defense Industries Agency President Haluk Gorgun.

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