Saudi Arabia, South Korea Seek to Boost Relations, Investments

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, South Korea Seek to Boost Relations, Investments

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, held talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on bilateral relations between their countries and ways to bolster them in all fields.

The South Korean leader had arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday on an official visit.

Talks with the Crown Prince also tackled regional and international developments.

Saudi Ambassador to Seoul, Sami Alsadhan noted that Crown Prince Mohammed had made an official visit to South Korea in 2019.

His trip helped strengthen relations with Seoul and expanded them to cover areas such a health, information technology, culture and education, he told the Saudi Press Agency.

South Korea is a strategic partner to Saudi Arabia as shown in the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Saudi-Korean Vision 2030 cooperation agreement that was signed in October 2017, he added.

Meanwhile, a senior Korean source said Seoul and Riyadh enjoy military cooperation that may later be expanded to include rockets and military equipment.

Fields that may provide cooperation opportunities include hydrogen fuel, renewable energy, digitization, technology, advanced industries, education and health.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the bilateral talks between Saudi Arabia and South Korea covered several agreements and memorandums of understanding that underscore the strategic natures of their relations.

Moon's visit to Riyadh and meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed will pave the way for more opportunities and shape the future ties between their countries.

Major countries are seeking to relocate their regional headquarters to Saudi Arabia, he remarked, a reference to South Korea's LG Corp's plan to establish its regional headquarter Riyadh.



Saudi Interior Ministry to Impose Fines on Hajj, Umrah Firms Failing to Report Overstays 

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that fines will be imposed on companies that delay reporting individuals who remain in the Kingdom beyond their authorized stay. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that fines will be imposed on companies that delay reporting individuals who remain in the Kingdom beyond their authorized stay. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry to Impose Fines on Hajj, Umrah Firms Failing to Report Overstays 

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that fines will be imposed on companies that delay reporting individuals who remain in the Kingdom beyond their authorized stay. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that fines will be imposed on companies that delay reporting individuals who remain in the Kingdom beyond their authorized stay. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior emphasized on Monday that Hajj and Umrah service companies and establishments must strictly abide by all related regulations and instructions in the Kingdom.

It announced that fines will be imposed on any company or establishment serving pilgrims and Umrah performers that delays reporting individuals who remain in the Kingdom beyond their authorized stay to the relevant authorities.

Fines can reach SAR100,000 (USD26,000) and will be multiplied based on the number of individuals who violate their departure deadlines.