The story: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ) have moved to announce increased defense and energy cooperation. The announcement was made during a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAEA) by Yoon. The trip highlights growing bilateral ties amid an Emirati drive to expand alliances in Asia. 

The coverage: Yoon was reportedly given a prestigious honor guard reception as he met MbZ at the Qasr Al-Watan presidential palace in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 15. 

• In a joint-statement published by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the two leaders agreed to “develop a special strategic partnership” in an array of areas including conventional and green energy, economic investments, and defense. 
  
  
• In connection with the visit, the UAE announced plans to invest 30B USD in “strategic sectors” in South Korea. 
  
  
• The meeting took place on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, with the two leaders pledging to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. 

Yoon also praised the Emirati-Korean security partnership, but stirred controversy by describing Iran as an enemy of the UAE during a visit to a South Korean military detachment stationed outside Abu Dhabi. 

• The Arabic service of South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported that Yoon told the military unit that “the security of the UAE, which is our brother nation, is our security.” 
  
  
• Yoon added that “the enemy of the UAE, its most threatening nation is Iran, and our enemy is North Korea…we are in a very similar situation to the UAE.” 
  
  
• Iran and South Korea later summoned each other’s envoys as a spat emerged over Yoon’s characterization of the Islamic Republic as a threat to the UAE. 

The next day, MbZ and Yoon visited the Barakah nuclear power plant, a joint Emirati-Korean initiative in the Al-Dhafra region. 

• Abu Dhabi-based Al-Ittihad noted that the project, which will eventually supply 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs, is the first commercial nuclear station in the Arab world, and the largest source of “environmentally-friendly electricity in the region.” 
  
  
• MbZ tweeted that the plant represents “one of the most strategic projects between the two countries…we look forward to working together and striving toward achieving climate neutrality.” 

The context/analysis: The UAE continues to expand its network of allies to avoid overreliance on traditional partners with sometimes conflicting interests, such as Saudi Arabia and the United States. 

• As Amwaj.media has previously reported, the UAE has not been content with the Joe Biden administration’s efforts to reinstate the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, though those negotiations have stalled for months. 
  
  
• While a recent UAE-US energy deal has seemingly improved the bilateral relationship, Emirati uncertainty over US security commitments lingers amid assertive and sometimes threatening posturing against the UAE by Iran and its regional allies. 

• Emirati-Saudi ties remain strong but their economic rivalry continues, driven by competing state development agendas. 

Amid these dynamics, the UAE has crafted a pragmatic foreign policy which includes engagement with former regional adversaries and expanded relationships in Asia. 

• As Amwaj.media has reported, Abu Dhabi has recently forged closer relationships with Israel and Turkey to help expand Emirati defense capabilities. One key aim is to counter perceived Iranian security threats—particularly as a contingency against a further US withdrawal from the region. 

The bilateral relationship with South Korea meets various UAE needs, including on energy and defense, and adds to growing Emirati alliances to help counter perceived threats from Iran. 

• President Yoon’s security-oriented rhetoric during his visit to Abu Dhabi illustrates how the burgeoning bilateral relationship will likely shore up the UAE’s defense partnerships. 
  
  
• The detachment of South Korean troops stationed in the UAE has provided training to Emirati forces, while Abu Dhabi in 2022 agreed to purchase surface-to-air missiles from Seoul.
   
• Joint Emirati-Korean development of the Barakah nuclear power plant also offers future economic opportunities and secures a vital green energy source for the UAE.

The future: The expanding relationship between the UAE and South Korea could in the medium term instigate a shift in regional energy dynamics. 

• With the UAE having launched the first commercial nuclear power plant in the Arab world, other Gulf Arab states may follow to meet their commitments towards carbon neutrality. 
  
  
• As the UAE prepares to host the 28th session of the UN climate change conference in November and December, the Barakah plant will likely be presented as a model of clean energy cooperation. 

Security cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Seoul is on an upward trajectory and likely to lead to further collaboration in the security and defense technology sectors. 

• However, some prominent Gulf Arab political figures have warned that in the absence of a revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the region will likely see a military confrontation with the Islamic Republic—during which the UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, may be targeted.