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Accompanied by UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, South Korean President Moon Jae-in heads to his presidential plane to fly to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. (Yoon Woon-sik/The Hankyoreh)

Following his visit to the United Arab Emirates, South Korean President Moon Jae-in departed for his next destination of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. While wrapping up his stay in the UAE, Moon said the two countries “will work together on overcoming climate change as market leaders in the global hydrogen economy.”

Moon wrote a social media post reflecting on his trip Tuesday.

“The UAE and Korea are partners to a miracle. Korea contributed to the ‘miracle in the desert’ by taking part in construction projects in the UAE, and that achievement and confidence helped us bring about the ‘miracle on the Han River,’” Moon said.

“The ‘miracle in the desert’ is moving into a sustainable future. [The UAE] is working on a blue ammonia production project and a hydrogen bus infrastructure project with us,” he went on to say.

The Blue House explained that the Middle East has a high potential for producing both green hydrogen, which uses renewable energy, and blue hydrogen, which is based on natural gas

“The Akh unit and the Barakah nuclear plant symbolize firm trust and solidarity between the two countries. The export deal we reached on this trip for the Cheongung II [mobile surface-to-air missile system] is the fruit of our dear friendship,” Moon wrote.

Moon also sent Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan another message of condolence and encouragement following an attack near the airport in Abu Dhabi. He was repeating sentiments earlier expressed during a 25-minute phone call with the UAE’s de facto ruler on Monday, after a summit between the two was called off.

“I learned of the unfortunate and urgent news about a drone attack in Abu Dhabi today. I want to express my deepest sympathy and condolences for the victims and their bereaved family members,” Moon said.

“I voice my serious concerns about actions that threaten peace and stability in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East. In particular, I strongly denounce attacks that take the lives of civilians as being intolerable acts of terror.”

“Korea is a true ‘rafiq’ that will always stand with the UAE,” Moon said, using an Arabic word that refers to a companion on a long journey across the desert.

The Blue House quoted the crown prince as saying that it was very unfortunate and regrettable that he hadn’t been able to meet Moon personally because of circumstances that were out of his hands. The crown prince asked for Moon’s understanding about the cancelation and noted that the drone attack had been anticipated. He also thanked Moon for continuing to develop Korea’s special relationship with the UAE, the Blue House related.

By Lee Wan, staff reporter

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