Saudi Arabia, South Korea Boost Ties with Several Agreements

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the official reception (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the official reception (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, South Korea Boost Ties with Several Agreements

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the official reception (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the official reception (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol where discussions focused on the bilateral ties and efforts to promote cooperation in various sectors.

The talks culminated in the signing of several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in various fields.

An official reception ceremony was held in honor of the Korean President at al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

The two leaders held an extensive meeting and a session of official talks. They explored opportunities to utilize the available resources in both countries to achieve mutual benefits.

They also discussed regional and international developments and issues of common interest.

The Crown Prince and the Korean President attended the signing ceremony of several bilateral agreements and MoUs between the two countries, including a draft MoU regarding establishing the Strategic Partnership Council between the two governments.

The deals also included the Hydrogen Oasis Initiative for cooperation in green and clean hydrogen and a deal to mutually exempt holders of diplomatic, private, and official passports from short-stay visa requirements.

A joint statistical cooperation program between the General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia and Statistics Korea (KOSTAT) was also signed, as well as a MoU between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to strengthen cooperation in the fields of food and medical products.

The meetings were attended by Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Minister of National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, along with several Saudi ministers and the accompanying delegation of the Korean President.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and his delegation arrived in Riyadh Saturday evening on a state visit to the Kingdom.



GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
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GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has strongly condemned the intrusion of an extremist minister from the Israeli occupation government into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to a press release issued by the GCC Secretariat General, Secretary General Albudaiwi stated that the continuation of these illegal practices in the Palestinian territories represents a blatant provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world and a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people.
"This reflects the Israeli occupation forces' deliberate disregard for all international laws and humanitarian charters and threatens the security and stability of the region," he pointed out, SPA reported.
Albudaiwi affirmed that encroaching on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic holy sites and terrorising civilians has become a normal practice for the Israeli occupation government.
He stressed that this government does not respect international laws and regulations, does not believe in human rights, and pursues arrogant and inhumane policies that contradict the fundamental principles of justice and humanitarian values.

"This requires serious, prompt, and effective international action to guarantee the protection of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights."