South Korean Ambassador: Our imports of Kuwaiti crude oil have recovered

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kuwait, Kim Kang-han, affirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening Kuwait-Korea relations and elevating them to broader levels, noting that His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, expressed clear interest during his reception of the ambassador in developing political and economic ties and increasing mutual investments between the two countries.

Speaking in his first meeting with representatives of Kuwaiti media since presenting his credentials to His Highness the Amir, the ambassador stated that cooperation between the two nations should no longer be limited to traditional commercial transactions, such as the buying and selling of goods and services, but must instead move toward long-term mutual investments that reflect greater trust and sustainable commitment from both sides.

He clarified that energy and infrastructure would remain key sectors in bilateral cooperation, but the next phase requires opening new fields including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and knowledge exchange, as well as integrating modern technologies into traditional projects. He pointed to the potential for leveraging Korean expertise in operating and managing Kuwait International Airport.

On the defense front, he described cooperation between the two countries as “very promising,” revealing preliminary discussions with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense regarding Korean air defense systems, and noting the interest of specialized Korean companies in the Kuwaiti market. He emphasized that a key strength of Korean systems is their compatibility with American systems, which enhances the potential for integration between defense systems and equipment.

The ambassador also addressed the impact of regional circumstances on trade and energy, explaining that Korea’s imports of Kuwaiti crude oil dropped sharply in March and April, reaching zero in May, before beginning to recover from June onward.

The following is the text of the interview:

**Q: After presenting your credentials to His Highness the Amir, how do you describe this occasion, and what message did the meeting carry?**

**A:** I presented my credentials to His Highness the Amir, and it was one of the most distinguished days of my life. It was the first time I met His Highness in person, and he showed great hospitality toward me and the Korean people. I can say that His Highness the Amir expressed significant interest in enhancing and developing political and economic relations between Kuwait and Korea, particularly by boosting mutual investments between the two countries. His Highness also expressed his expectation for the continuation of high-level visits and exchanges between our nations, and I conveyed the warmest greetings from the Korean President.

**Q: How do you view the future of economic relations between Kuwait and Korea?**

**A:** Kuwait and Korea have always cooperated in the fields of energy and infrastructure, and these sectors will remain important. However, the next phase requires elevating relations to a new level. The relationship should not be limited to traditional transactions, i.e., buying and selling goods and services; rather, we want the two countries to commit to each other through long-term investments, with greater trust and mutual investment.

**Q: What new sectors could serve as a focus for this cooperation?**

**A:** I aim to enhance traditional cooperation in infrastructure and energy, while simultaneously attracting more Korean expertise in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and knowledge exchange. These new areas can be integrated into traditional cooperation sectors. For example, the Korean Incheon International Airport Company is operating Terminal 4 in Kuwait, and there is also Korean interest in obtaining an opportunity to operate Terminal 2 upon the completion of the project. I envision that Korean expertise in “smart offices,” artificial intelligence, and modern technologies can be introduced into airport operations, equipment, and services, thereby contributing to increased efficiency, improved service levels, and an enhanced passenger experience.

**Q: You mentioned defense cooperation. What are the prospects for developing it between the two countries?**

**A:** I believe that Kuwait-Korea cooperation in the defense field holds promising opportunities. As you know, Kuwait recently faced attacks and damage due to regional circumstances. I was deeply impressed by the spirit of the Kuwaiti people and their ability to handle these circumstances calmly and continue their daily lives. Furthermore, the government’s efforts to repair the damage as quickly as possible contributed to this resilience. Regarding defense cooperation, Korea possesses advanced air defense systems, and there are specialized Korean companies in this field.

**Q: Are there actual negotiations regarding Korean air defense systems?**

**A:** We are in a very early stage of negotiations with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense, so I cannot speak about results at this time. However, based on information I receive from Korean companies, there are encouraging indicators, and I believe the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces are interested in Korean systems. Another strength is that both Kuwait and Korea are key allies of the United States, and there is a shared interest in ensuring interoperability of military equipment with American systems.

**Q: What distinguishes Korean defense systems?**

**A:** There is a Korean medium-range air defense system, and Korean systems have proven their capability in external markets. According to reports I have reviewed, one Korean system recorded very high interception rates. Additionally, Korean systems are less expensive than their American counterparts, and Korean companies have the ability to deliver within a shorter timeframe. The United Arab Emirates has already incorporated this system into its defense capabilities; therefore, we believe that Korean expertise in air defense can make a significant contribution to enhancing Kuwait’s defense capabilities.