02.11.2026 09:23
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has made an official visit to South Korea for the first time in 8 years. Erdoğan, who arrived in the capital Seoul together with his wife Emine Erdoğan, will meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on November 3. During the critical meeting, steps to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly in nuclear energy, the defense industry, and trade, will be discussed.
President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan were welcomed by South Korean Trade Minister Park Jung-sung upon their arrival at Seoul Seongnam Air Base.
Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Seoul Fatih Yıldız and his wife Nesrin Yıldız were also present at the welcome ceremony.
During his Seoul visit, President Erdoğan is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Deputy Chairman of the AK Party and Head of Health Policies Halit Yerebakan, and President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün.
As part of the visit, which will last until November 4, President Erdoğan is planned to hold an official meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday, November 3.
During the talks, it is aimed to address all dimensions of the strategic partnership relations between the two countries, exchange views on current regional and global issues, and sign various agreements that will strengthen the legal basis of bilateral relations.
FIRST VISIT AFTER 8 YEARS
The eagerly awaited summit will be President Erdoğan's first visit to South Korea after an 8-year interval.
President Erdoğan last visited South Korea in 2018, while South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung paid a state visit to Türkiye in November 2025 and also attended the NATO Summit in July as a guest head of state.
BROAD AGENDA FROM NUCLEAR ENERGY TO DEFENSE INDUSTRY
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to South Korea is important for developing economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries. During the official talks to be held on Tuesday, November 3, the Strategic Partnership relations between Türkiye and South Korea will be evaluated in all aspects. The leaders are also expected to exchange views on current regional and global developments.
During the talks, joint steps that can be taken in the fields of energy, defense industry, transportation, infrastructure, high technology, culture and tourism will be discussed.
TÜRKİYE'S NUCLEAR INVESTMENTS ON THE TABLE
One of the prominent topics of the visit is the work on nuclear power plants planned to be established in Türkiye. It is stated that significant progress has been made in the contacts carried out between Türkiye and South Korea in this field.
In Türkiye's decisions regarding future nuclear energy investments, offers from countries such as Russia and Canada, as well as South Korea, are expected to be evaluated.
EUROPE'S NEW REGULATION ON THE AGENDA OF THE TWO COUNTRIES
The "Made in Europe" regulation, brought to the agenda by the European Union to strengthen European industry and encourage production in Europe, is also among the important topics of the talks.
While contacts continue for Türkiye's inclusion in the said regulation, the economic effects that may arise for South Korea if it remains outside the scope are being evaluated.
ALTAY TANK PARTNERSHIP MAY BE CARRIED OVER TO NEW PROJECTS
It is aimed to expand the ongoing cooperation between Türkiye and South Korea in the defense industry. In particular, the partnership established within the scope of the Altay Tank Project is on the agenda to be carried over to different defense platforms.
It is stated that new joint production projects in the defense industry may be discussed during the talks.
NEW TARGET IN TRADE: 15 BILLION DOLLARS
Increasing trade volume in economic relations between the two countries is also among the priority issues.
The trade volume between Türkiye and South Korea reached 11.4 billion dollars last year, while it was 8.7 billion dollars in the first nine months of this year.
The two countries aim to increase mutual trade volume to 15 billion dollars. Within the scope of the visit, various agreements that will strengthen the legal infrastructure of bilateral relations are also expected to be signed.
MESSAGE FROM SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT LEE TO ERDOĞAN
In a statement regarding President Erdoğan's Seoul visit, South Korean President Lee stated that they want to carry cooperation with Türkiye further.
Lee used the following statements in his statement:
"On the occasion of this visit, I hope to further develop our cooperation in economy, energy and other fields, especially the defense industry, and to achieve results that will provide concrete benefits to the peoples of the two countries."
Lee, who also expressed his satisfaction with hosting Erdoğan in his country, concluded his message with the following words:
"I sincerely welcome President Erdoğan's state visit together with our nation. Welcome, Mr. President!"