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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make a state visit to Türkiye on November 24-25, marking the first presidential-level diplomatic visit between the two strategic partners in years, Turkish officials announced.
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said the visit comes at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and will focus on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors while reinforcing ties that date back to the Korean War. The two leaders will meet at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on November 24 to review bilateral relations and discuss regional and global issues.
Duran stated the visit would serve to "further develop the strong bonds and friendship-based relations established between our countries since the Korean War." Discussions are expected to cover energy, defense industry, transportation, infrastructure, high technology, culture and tourism, with several agreements planned for signing during the visit.
The relationship between South Korea and Türkiye has deep historical roots, particularly from Türkiye's military support during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The Turkish Brigade fought alongside South Korean forces against North Korean and Chinese troops, with 721 Turkish soldiers killed in combat. Of those, 462 are buried at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, a site that remains a symbol of the alliance.
Türkiye was the 10th country to recognize the South Korean government in 1949, just a year after its establishment, and became the third nation to open a permanent embassy in Seoul. The shared sacrifice during the war led both nations to describe their relationship as a "brotherhood," a characterization that continues to shape diplomatic discourse between Ankara and Seoul.
Trade between the two countries has grown dramatically from just $8,000 in 1965 to more than $4 billion by 2007. In 2013, both nations entered into a free trade agreement to further facilitate commerce and investment.
Major South Korean companies including Samsung, LG Electronics and Hyundai established manufacturing operations in Türkiye beginning in the 1980s, viewing the country as a strategic gateway to European and Middle Eastern markets. Hyundai Motor Company built an automobile factory in Izmit in 1995, while Samsung and LG set up television and appliance production facilities in Izmir and Manisa.
Defense industry collaboration has become a significant component of the bilateral relationship. South Korean firms have led several Turkish defense programs, including the manufacturing of T-155 Firtina howitzers, main battle tanks and training aircraft worth billions of dollars.
In infrastructure, South Korean and Turkish construction companies partnered to build the Canakkale 1915 Bridge, a $2.8 billion suspension bridge spanning the Dardanelles strait. The Export-Import Bank of Korea provided financing for the 2,023-meter structure.
The upcoming state visit represents an opportunity to formalize new areas of cooperation and strengthen existing partnerships as both countries navigate an evolving global landscape. Both nations are members of the G20 and maintain embassies in each other's capitals, with South Korea also operating a consulate general in Istanbul.
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