Erdoğan arrives in South Korea after eight years and is welcomed in Seoul

President Erdoğan has arrived in Seoul at the invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Official talks will be held on Tuesday, November 3, and new agreements in defense industry, the economy and energy are expected to be signed.

The Turkiye Times Editorial DeskNovember 02, 2026, 10:19 AMUpdated: November 02, 2026, 11:18 AM

Erdoğan arrives in South Korea after eight years and is welcomed in Seoul

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has arrived in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, at the invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Erdoğan and his wife, Emine Erdoğan, were welcomed at Seongnam Air Base in Seoul by a ceremonial guard dressed in traditional attire. Korea's Trade Minister Park Jung-sung, Türkiye's Ambassador to Seoul Fatih Yıldız and his wife, Nesrin Yıldız, welcomed the delegation in front of the aircraft.

Erdoğan is accompanied on the visit by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır. Erdoğan is making an official visit to South Korea for the first time in eight years.

According to the program announced by Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, the visit will run from November 1 to 4. During the official talks on Tuesday, November 3, the strategic partnership between the two countries will be discussed in all its aspects, and views will be exchanged on current regional and global issues. Various documents aimed at strengthening the legal framework of bilateral relations will also be signed during the visit.

President Erdoğan departed Ankara for Seoul on the evening of November 1.

President Erdoğan departed Ankara for Seoul on the evening of November 1

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also issued a message ahead of the visit. Lee said, "Through this visit, I hope we will further develop our cooperation in defense industry, particularly, as well as in the economy, energy and other areas, and achieve tangible results that will provide concrete benefits to the peoples of both countries." Lee added, "Together with our people, I warmly welcome President Erdoğan on his state visit. Welcome, Mr. President."

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