Friday, 09 October 2026
Egypt, South Korea elevate ties to strategic partnership
Egypt and South Korea agreed on Thursday to elevate their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, aiming to deepen defense, economic, and political cooperation following a state visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Seoul.
The three-day visit, running from October 7 to 9, follows South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s trip to Cairo in November 2025, marking a reciprocal exchange between the two leaders aimed at bolstering bilateral relations.
As part of the upgraded partnership, both nations launched formal negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost trade and investment flows. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in manufacturing—specifically shipbuilding and electric vehicles—as well as energy, infrastructure, high-tech, artificial intelligence, smart cities, and investment within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone).
The agreement highlights Egypt’s strategic position as a primary gateway to African markets, opening avenues for trilateral cooperation between Seoul, Cairo, and African states.
On defense, both countries reaffirmed ongoing cooperation and pledged to advance joint defense industry initiatives.
The strategic partnership also aligns regional policies, with Cairo endorsing South Korea’s "S.H.I.N.E." Middle East policy, announced at Cairo University in 2025, while Seoul welcomed Sisi’s foreign policy framework of "strategic balance."
Both leaders committed to continuing strategic dialogue on pressing global and regional security issues under international law, including the Palestinian cause, regional water security, maritime navigation, and situations in the Horn of Africa, Yemen, and Libya.
To strengthen ties beyond politics and trade, the two nations declared 2027 as a year of mutual cultural exchanges and agreed to expand educational, technical, and vocational training programs in Egypt.