The diplomatic relations between Qatar and the Republic of Korea started in 1974 and the embassy of Qatar in Seoul was opened in 1992. The relations since then have seen a lot of political, economic and cultural developments and a number of mutual visits.
Qatar has been the principal source of supply of LNG to Korea in accordance with a long-term contract that ensures a continual and stable coverage of Republic of Korea’s energy needs in the industrial and residential sectors.
Minister for Political Affairs in the Republic of Korea H E Byung-won Chung during 19th Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum, which was held in Doha recently, highlighted the significance of Korean President H E Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Qatar in October. He said President Yeol’s visit had upgraded Korea-Qatar relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The strategic partnership has extended cooperation to various domains, including the LNG value chain, healthcare, smart farming and artificial intelligence.
During President Yeol’s visit deals worth approximately $4.6bn were signed. The two countries discussed expanding cooperation beyond energy and construction, to investment, defence, agriculture, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Qatar and Korea agreed to enhance security and defence industry collaboration, elevating their bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
President Yeol in an interview with QNA during his visit to Qatar stressed that South Korea and Qatar should further build upon what they have achieved over the last five decades to usher in an even brighter future.
As Korea’s second largest supplier of LNG, Qatar has provided a reliable buttress that has helped South Korea maintain its energy security, while South Korea has participated in approximately 130 construction projects in Qatar. He said that Korean companies took part in the building of the National Museum of Qatar, Lusail Plaza Towers and other landmarks which now serve as symbols of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador of Qatar to Republic of Korea H E Khalid bin Ebrahim Al Hamar expressed confidence in the “further development” of both countries’ diplomatic relations.
Al Hamar said ties between the two nations are built on mutual interests and have witnessed great development since the 1970s and when Qatar opened its embassy in the Republic of Korea in 1992. He noted that trade volume between the two countries increased to about $14bn in 2022 compared to about $11bn in 2021. The two countries signed the first LNG agreement in 1995. Since then, QatarEnergy has increased its shipments to South Korea to more than 9 million tonnes of LNG per year.
