Sisi: Elevating Relations with Korea to Strategic Partnership
The Egyptian President meets his Korean counterpart in Seoul to raise cooperation levels and sign agreements, while discussing Middle East issues and Red Sea security.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced on Thursday the elevation of Egypt-Korea relations to the level of a strategic partnership, affirming that this step opens new horizons for cooperation between the two countries across various political, economic, and developmental fields.
Mohamed El-Shenawy, the presidential spokesperson, said in a statement that this development occurred during el-Sisi’s meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jae-myung, in Seoul, where they held a bilateral meeting and a broad round of talks with delegations from both countries.
The statement clarified that the two presidents signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding at the conclusion of the talks, bringing the total number of agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during the visit to 12.
According to the statement, President el-Sisi affirmed that the declaration of a strategic partnership represents “a new milestone from which a promising future begins” for relations based on mutual respect and common benefit, opening new horizons for cooperation in political, economic, and developmental fields.
He noted that this partnership aligns with Egypt’s balanced and diversified foreign policy, which is grounded in strategic equilibrium and the development of relations with various countries. He considered that Egypt-Korea relations have witnessed a “qualitative leap” over the past ten years, strengthening bilateral cooperation in sectors such as technology, industry, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and new and renewable energy.
He stated that he and his Korean counterpart discussed the rapid developments in the world, the increasing flashpoints of escalation and tension, with the Middle East region at the forefront, affirming the existence of significant convergence in views regarding the importance of enhancing a culture of peace and supporting stability in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s supportive stance toward stability in the Horn of Africa region and the preservation of the sovereignty of its countries, emphasizing that the responsibility for the security of the Red Sea and the governance of its affairs lies exclusively with the riparian states.
He reiterated the vital importance of the Nile waters to Egypt as an existential issue for the Egyptian people, noting that the Nile River represents a lifeline for more than 100 million Egyptians.
He pointed to Egypt’s support for development in Nile Basin countries, while rejecting unilateral measures that violate the principle of no harm and provisions of international law, and that infringe upon Egypt’s water rights.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, el-Sisi affirmed his country’s firm position on the necessity of achieving a just and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian issue in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution, which includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He expressed Egypt’s appreciation for South Korea’s active participation in the future reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, looking forward to more countries recognizing the Palestinian state.
On another note, a well-informed source stated that Egypt firmly rejects the use of Sinai’s name in statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, affirming that the empty threats echoed coincide with Egypt’s celebrations of the 53rd anniversary of the glorious October Victory, which eliminates any need for further assurances regarding Egypt’s ability to protect its territory and preserve its independence against any threats.
Speaking to the official Egyptian news agency, MENA, the source said that these statements regarding Sinai and the displacement of Palestinian residents from the Gaza Strip over the past two days constitute an overt attempt to use an empty escalatory rhetoric to achieve electoral goals.
He emphasized that the entire international community recognizes that the Israeli occupation bears responsibility for making living conditions in Gaza nearly impossible, in an attempt to force the sector’s residents to leave their land and bring an end to the Palestinian cause. Egypt will not accept this, nor will it participate in it, and it rejects having its name dragged into political posturing. It firmly maintains its stance opposing interference in the internal affairs of any country.
On another note, the First Terrorist Crimes Chamber handed down a sentence of seven years’ hard labor to one defendant and three years’ hard labor to two others in Case No. 11633 of 2025, tried before the Second October Criminal Court, and ordered that the convicted individuals and the “Daesh” organization be placed on terrorism lists.
