Korean Ambassador: Regional challenges strengthened Kuwait-Korea friendship and opened broader horizons for cooperation

Osama Diab: The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kuwait, Jang Hyun Kim, affirmed the robustness of Kuwaiti-Korean relations and the depth of the historical friendship uniting the two countries. He emphasized that the security challenges witnessed by the region have proven the resilience of these ties and strengthened the shared will to continue developing bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, healthcare, defense, and cultural and tourism exchanges.

Kim praised the continuous support and guidance from Kuwait’s political leadership to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. He expressed his appreciation for His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah. He commended the wise and firm response of the Kuwaiti government to regional challenges, as well as the resilience and steadfastness demonstrated by the Kuwaiti people in the face of difficult circumstances.

This statement was made by Ambassador Kim during a ceremony hosted by the embassy to celebrate the National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea. The event was attended by the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing, Abdul Latif Al-Mashari; the Commander of the National Service Authority, Major General Nayef Al-Azmi; and several ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions.

Kim noted that since his arrival in Kuwait last May, he has felt a warm welcome from the Kuwaiti people and his colleagues in the diplomatic corps. He expressed his pride in being received by His Highness the Amir upon the presentation of his credentials, affirming that his stay in Kuwait has given him a sense of reassurance and stability.

The ambassador recalled Korea’s supportive stance toward Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion in 1990, noting that his country dispatched a military medical support unit and an air transport unit comprising five C-130 aircraft, in addition to its financial contribution to the international coalition’s efforts to liberate Kuwait.

He pointed to the noticeable development in communication between the two countries, highlighting the phone call held last March between Foreign Minister Sheikh Jara Al-Ahmad and his Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun. This was followed by the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister’s visit to Seoul in August, which he described as the first official visit by a Kuwaiti foreign minister to Korea in 19 years. He affirmed that the discussions were characterized by frankness and goodwill, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations.

As a sign of solidarity between the two nations, Kim noted the arrival of Korean engineers in Kuwait during the peak of the security crisis to contribute to repairing damaged refineries. He praised their commitment and eagerness to support Kuwait during such a critical time, emphasizing that true friendship is embodied in dialogue, rapprochement, and joint action, especially during difficult times.

In the economic sector, Kim affirmed that Korean companies have contributed over the decades to constructing a significant portion of Kuwait’s infrastructure. He noted that this partnership dates back to the 1970s and expressed his country’s hope to continue and expand it through participation in major development projects. He explained that Incheon International Airport Corporation, which operates Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport, succeeded in maintaining smooth operational flows despite the pressures resulting from diverting flights to it following the temporary closure of Terminal 1. This effort contributed to maintaining Kuwait’s connection with the outside world.

He added that the company looks forward to taking over the operation of Terminal 2, while other Korean companies are striving to win new projects in the infrastructure sector, thereby supporting economic growth and contributing to the development of vital services and facilities in Kuwait.

In the healthcare sector, this field was described as one of the most promising areas for enhancing bilateral cooperation, with reference to the specialized training received by Kuwaiti doctors in Korea, alongside regular visits by Korean surgeons to Kuwait to perform surgeries in collaboration with their Kuwaiti counterparts and to organize specialized medical seminars. On the tourism and cultural exchange front, Kim revealed that approximately 4,000 Kuwaiti citizens visit Korea annually, representing a 27% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. He clarified that Kuwaiti citizens can visit and stay in Korea for up to 90 days for tourism or to attend business meetings.