Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, underlined on Wednesday the historic ties that bind the Kingdom with South Korea, highlighting its Vision 2030 reform program.
Speaking from Seoul during a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, he said: “Through this vision, the Kingdom is aspiring to become an investment pioneer and a link between the world’s continents.”
The Vision is based on a prosperous economy, vital society and ambitious nation, he went on to say during the meeting at the presidential Blue House.
He hailed Moon’s efforts in combating corruption, saying that this too was a priority adopted by the Kingdom under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
“We are aware of untapped massive potential and partnership between our countries and the opportunities to increase the trade and investment exchange,” Crown Prince Mohammed said.
Saudi Arabia is a central country in the Middle East and it is keen on developing and bolstering economic and investment cooperation with South Korea, he added, while highlighting the already existing strategic partnership in the political, security, defense, economic, cultural and social fields.
He also spoke of developing defense capabilities and achieving economic prosperity through the joint building of industries and developing human capital.
“Saudi Arabia has had a very wonderful experience with South Korea in the past and would like to repeat it on a larger scale for the interest of our countries,” he remarked.
For his part, Moon underscored the importance of the Crown Prince’s visit in developing cooperation between Riyadh and Seoul in various fields.
He hailed in this regard Vision 2030 and its ambitious objectives.
Crown Prince Mohammed and his host also discussed regional and international developments.
The Saudi royal had arrived in South Korea earlier on Wednesday. He was received at the airport by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and Saudi Ambassador to Seoul Riyadh Al-Mubaraki.
He heads a delegation that includes Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf, Minister of Trade and Commerce Dr. Majed al-Qasabi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, Minister of Energy Khalid al-Falih and Information Minister Turki al-Shabanah.
After South Korea, the Crown Prince is scheduled to travel to Japan to head the Kingdom’s delegation at the G20 summit in Osaka.
South Korean Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jo Byung-wook said Seoul was one of Riyadh’s strategic partners in the execution of Saudi Vision 2030.
Crown Prince Mohammed’s visit will bolster the fundamental cooperation between the two countries in several fields, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Seoul and Riyadh have maintained close ties and they have been developed for over half a century. South Korea has played a central role in developing the Kingdom’s infrastructure. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has been a main energy provider for the Korean economy, supplying it with 30 percent of its oil imports, making it the country’s greatest energy provider, stated Jo.
Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and South Korea in the Vision 2030 programs will pave the way for establishing more bonds of friendship between the two countries, he continued.
Crown Prince Mohammed’s visit to South Korea is the first by a Saudi royal since late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz traveled to the country in 1998 when he was still crown prince.
