Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju, built in the 7th century, is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia.
The Republic of Korea
South KoreaEastern Asia+5:00Hours ahead of the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Korean
National CurrencySouth Korean Won (KRW)
National Day(s)15 August (National Liberation Day)
3 October (Gaecheonjeol, National Foundation Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalSeoul
Economic CapitalSeoul
Cultural CapitalGyeongju
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 8 – 8.5 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportIncheon International Airport (ICN)
Primary PortPort of Busan
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline~2,413 km (mainland only)
Highest PointHallasan; Mount Halla (1,947 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverHan River and Nakdong River (longest river)
Soyang Lake (largest lake by area)
ClimateTemperate with four distinct seasons; humid continental in the north, humid subtropical in the south
Border Countries
North Korea
1Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
South Korea has 17 UNESCO sites, ranging from ancient royal tombs to volcanic lava tubes.
More than 70% of the country’s land area is made up of mountains.
Traditionally, newborns in South Korea were considered one year old at birth. The country officially adopted the international age-counting system in 2023.
South Korea’s traditional houses, known as hanok, feature curved tiled roofs and an ancient underfloor heating system called ondol.
South Korea is home to Andong Hahoe Folk Village, a preserved UNESCO village where the descendants of its historic clan still live.
Jinju Namgang Yudeong Lantern Festival is a festival to honor historic defensive traditions by lighting thousands of lanterns.
On Jeju Island, female divers known as haenyeo, some in their 80s, collect seafood without oxygen tanks, a UNESCO-recognised tradition.
Taekwondo is South Korea’s national sport. Taekwondowon – or “Taekwondo Town” – is South Korea’s state-of-the-art temple to taekwondo.
South Korea is home to Songdo, one of the world’s first purpose-built smart cities, featuring advanced transport, energy and waste management systems.
South Korea was the first country to launch 5G mobile network services.
Hallasan on Jeju Island is South Korea’s highest mountain and a dormant volcano rising approximately 1,947 metres above sea level.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | South KoreaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Lee Jae-myung
Since June 2025
H.E. Han Seong-sook
Since July 2026
H.E. Dr. Cho Hyun
Since July 2025
H.E. Dr. Lee Hyoung-il
Since September 2026
H.E. Dr. Kim Jung-kwan
Since July 2025
H.E. Kang Shin-chul
Since September 2026
Political Summary
Political System
Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic
The President serves as both Head of State and Head of Government, wielding strong executive powers. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President with parliamentary approval.
Ruling Party
Democratic Party of Korea (DPK): Centre to centre-left (since June 2025)
Main Opposition Force(s)
People Power Party (PPP): Right-wing to far-right (main opposition; ruling party under Yoon Suk Yeol)Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP): Centre-left
Next Presidential Election
Expected in March 2030
Next Legislative Election
April 2028
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
59Organizations
26Member
11Founding Member
14Partner, Observer or Participant
8Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | South Korea | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations18 Jun 198046 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Jamal Abdulla Al SuwaidiUAE Ambassador to South Korea · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Lee Won-ikAmbassador of South Korea to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: October 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures9Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways6
EKEmirates3
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures1Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo1
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
South Korea Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin South Korea | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 29 May 2024.Entered into force on 1 May 2026. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 9 Jun 2002.Entered into force on 15 Jun 2004. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 27 Feb 2019.Entered into force on 29 Feb 2020.The previous agreement was signed on 22 Sep 2003 but is not currently in force. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Ratified | Signed and ratified on 21 Nov 2005.Entered into force on 7 Jun 2010. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to South Korea | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al MubarakChairman of the Executive Affairs AuthoritySep2026
- H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced TechnologyJul2026
- H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al MubarakChairman of the Executive Affairs AuthorityJan2026
- H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced TechnologyDec2025
- H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al QassimiMinister of CultureDec2025
- H.E. Saeed Bin Mubarak Al HajeriMinister of StateNov2025
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of Foreign TradeNov2025
- H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu DhabiOct2025
- H.E. Saeed Bin Mubarak Al HajeriMinister of StateOct2025
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of Foreign TradeOct2025
- H.E. Alia bint Abdulla Al MazroueiMinister of State for EntrepreneurshipDec2024
- H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al ShamsiMinister of Climate Change and EnvironmentOct2024
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeMay2024
- H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al NahyanAdvisor of Special Affairs at the Presidential CourtMay2024
- H.E. Suhail bin Mohammed Al MazroueiMinister of Energy and InfrastructureMay2024
- H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced TechnologyMay2024
- H.E. Mohamed Hassan AlsuwaidiMinister of InvestmentMay2024
- H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab EmiratesMay2024
- H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al QasimiDeputy Ruler of SharjahDec2023
- H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al MarriMinister of EconomyNov2023
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeOct2023
- H.E. Suhail bin Mohammed Al MazroueiMinister of Energy and InfrastructureAug2023
- H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al MarriMinister of EconomyJul2023
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign AffairsJun2023
- H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu DhabiFeb2019
- H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu DhabiFeb2014
- H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu DhabiMay2010
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Dr. Kim Jung-kwanMinister of Trade, Industry and Resources of KoreaJun2026
- H.E. Kang Hoon-sikSpecial Envoy of the President of Korea for Strategic Economic CooperationMar2026
- H.E. Lee Yong CheolMinister of Defense Acquisition Programme Administration of KoreaFeb2026
- H.E. Kang Hoon-sikSpecial Envoy of the President of Korea for Strategic Economic CooperationFeb2026
- H.E. Lee Jae-myungPresident of KoreaNov2025
- Mrs. Kim Hea KyungFirst Lady of KoreaNov2025
- H.E. Kim Yong-sunMinister of Intellectual Property of KoreaNov2025
- H.E. Dr. Kim Jung-kwanMinister of Trade, Industry and Resources of KoreaNov2025
- H.E. Oh Yu-kyoungMinister of Food and Drug Safety of KoreaNov2025
- H.E. Bae Kyung-hoonDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT of KoreaNov2025
- H.E. General Son Sug-ragChief of Staff of Korea Air ForceNov2025
- H.E. Oh Se-hoonMayor of Seoul, KoreaMay2024
- H.E. Kim Hong-kyunVice Minister of Foreign Affairs of KoreaApr2024
- H.E. Daehee LeeDeputy Minister at the Korean Ministry of SMEs and StartupsMar2024
- H.E. Cheong InkyoMinister of Trade of KoreaFeb2024
- H.E. Han Wha-jinMinister of Environment of KoreaDec2023
- H.E. Lee YoungMinister of SMEs and Startups of KoreaJun2023
- H.E. Dukgeun AhnMinister of Trade of KoreaMar2023
- H.E. Lee YoungMinister of SMEs and Startups of KoreaJan2023
- Mrs. Kim Keon HeeFirst Lady of KoreaJan2023
- H.E. Yoon Suk YeolPresident of KoreaJan2023
- H.E. Kwon Young-seMinister of Unification of KoreaJan2023
- H.E. Lee Chang-yangMinister of Trade, Industry and Energy of KoreaJan2023
- H.E. Kim Dae-kiSpecial Envoy of the President of KoreaDec2022
- H.E. Chang Je-wonSpecial Envoy of the President of KoreaMay2022
- H.E. Moon Jae-inPresident of KoreaJan2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)1,933.2USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)186.5USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Korean Companies in the UAE
Samsung ElectronicsElectronics
LG GroupElectronics and appliances
Hyundai Motor GroupAutomotive
Kia CorporationAutomotive
SK GroupEnergy and chemicals
SK HynixSemiconductors
POSCOSteel
Hanwha GroupDefense and energy
Doosan GroupIndustrial machinery
Lotte GroupRetail and petrochemicals
CJ GroupFood and entertainment
Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)Utilities
Major UAE Companies in South Korea
Mubadala Investment CompanyWater technology, medical devices and e-commerce
DP WorldPorts and logistics
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chambers
Business Council(s)Korean Business Council
International Office(s)-
UAE-Korean Joint Business Council
Joint Business Council(s)Last meeting held in September 2025.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: August 2026Source: Internal Research