South Korean Ambassador: Elevating Relations with Kuwait to a Sustainable Partnership
He confirmed that His Highness the Amir is keen on enhancing investments and high-level visits to his country.
“Chungong-2” achieved an interception rate of approximately 96 percent.
“Incheon” looks forward to operating Terminal 2.
$1.7 billion is the average value of Korean projects annually.
Kim Jang-hyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kuwait, affirmed his country’s commitment to elevating bilateral relations to a sustainable partnership by boosting mutual investments and expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, defense, health, and culture, alongside energy and infrastructure.
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Speaking during a meeting with media representatives, Kim said he was honored to present his credentials to His Highness the Amir, describing the occasion as one of the most memorable days in his memory. He praised the Amir’s kind and amiable personality and the warm reception he received.
He added that His Highness the Amir expressed interest in strengthening investments and facilitating high-level visits and meetings. Kim noted that he conveyed greetings from the President of the Republic of Korea to His Highness, while the Amir entrusted him with his warmest regards to the Korean leadership.
He emphasized that enhancing cooperation in energy and infrastructure, and expanding it into artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and knowledge exchange, are among his priorities, with a focus on integrating modern Korean technologies into the development and operation of projects.
Smart airports
He pointed to Incheon International Airport Authority’s experience in operating Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport, and its interest in operating Terminal 2 upon its completion. He highlighted the capability of Korean companies to leverage artificial intelligence, smart offices, and facility management to build smart airports, improve efficiency, enhance services, and increase passenger satisfaction.
Defense cooperation
In the defense sector, Kim stated that recent security developments in the region underscored the importance of strengthening air defense systems and protecting critical infrastructure. He expressed admiration for the resilience of the Kuwaiti people and the calm continuation of their daily lives, as well as the government’s swift actions to maintain order and stability.
He noted the role of air defense systems in intercepting drones and missiles, explaining that the United Arab Emirates relies on the Korean medium-range air defense system “Chungong-2,” with media reports indicating an interception rate of approximately 96 percent.
He added that the system offers competitive costs and faster delivery times compared to some similar systems, and could contribute to enhancing Kuwait’s defense capabilities, noting the interest of Korean defense companies in cooperating with Kuwait.
Oil and projects
Regarding oil, Ambassador Kim stated that Korea’s imports of Kuwaiti crude declined during the spring according to official statistics, before rising again since June, though they have not yet reached previous levels. He highlighted efforts by Kuwait and relevant companies to maintain the flow of crude to international markets.
He added that Kuwait has historically been the fourth-largest market for Korean companies in infrastructure projects, with an average annual value of approximately $1.7 billion for projects executed between 2000 and 2025. The year 2014 recorded the highest value at $7.7 billion, before Korean companies’ performance declined in recent years.
Tourism
Kim affirmed Korea’s welcome of Kuwaiti tourists and visitors, noting that Kuwaiti citizens can enter the country for tourism or business meetings without a visa and stay for up to 90 days, provided they obtain the electronic travel authorization “K-ETA,” which is similar to the US “ESTA” system.
4,000 visitors
Ambassador Kim Jong-hyun stated that he does not recall the exact number of Kuwaiti visitors this year, noting that the number reached approximately 4,000 visitors in 2024.
Ten Companies Operating in Kuwait
The South Korean ambassador mentioned that more than ten companies are operating in Kuwait, with some maintaining offices and staff and implementing projects across various sectors.
Defense Deals in Early Stages
Ambassador Hyun clarified that negotiations regarding potential defense deals are still in their early stages, and it is too early to announce results or agreements. He added that Korean equipment also features high interoperability with systems from other companies and suppliers.
