The state visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Türkiye took place on 24–25 November 2025 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The visit marked the final stop of Lee’s 10-day international tour following his engagements in the Middle East and the G20 Johannesburg Summit.
During the visit, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of defense industry, nuclear energy, infrastructure, technology, culture and tourism, the following events were held: a visit to Anıtkabir, an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Complex, bilateral talks, the signing of three agreements, a joint press conference, an official dinner, and a visit to the Memorial to Turkish Soldiers Who Fought in Korea in Korea.
Arrival in Ankara and Visit to Anıtkabir
Lee Jae Myung arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara on the morning of 24 November 2025. The visit followed his engagements in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and the Republic of South Africa, and came after the G20 Johannesburg Summit. Lee entered Türkiye via Ankara Esenboğa Airport, where he was received by Turkish officials. A series of official events were scheduled for the first day of the visit.
As part of his first official program in Türkiye, Lee Jae Myung visited Anıtkabir. Accompanying him in the delegation was Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar. Lee walked along the Lion Path to lay a wreath at the mausoleum of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, followed by a moment of silence. After the ceremony, Lee proceeded to the Misak-ı Milli Tower, where he signed the Anıtkabir Special Register.
Official Welcoming Ceremony at the Presidential Complex
On 24 November 2025, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was officially welcomed at the Presidential Complex. Cavalry units met Lee’s vehicle on the avenue in front of the complex and accompanied it to the protocol entrance. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Lee at the main gate of the complex. The national anthems of both countries were played on the ceremony grounds. Flags representing the 16 Turkish states in history and military personnel were present, and a 21-gun salute was fired.
During the ceremony, South Korean President Lee greeted the Honor Guard Regiment with the phrase “Hello soldier.” Following the ceremony, the two leaders introduced their respective delegations and posed for the media on the stairs before the flags of Türkiye and South Korea.
Turkish officials in attendance included Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Presidential Advisor for Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Presidential Head of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, and Governor of Ankara Vasip Şahin.
Following the ceremony, the two leaders held a one-on-one meeting. This was followed by a delegation-level meeting, a signing ceremony, and a joint press conference. Later in the day, President Erdoğan and Lee Jae Myung attended an official dinner.
Bilateral Talks and Delegation-Level Meetings
Following the official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Complex, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held a one-on-one meeting. Discussions focused on defense industry, nuclear energy, infrastructure, transportation, and high technology. President Erdoğan commented on the meeting, stating, “During our bilateral talks with South Korean President Lee, we discussed steps we can take together in the defense industry.”
Erdoğan also stated, “We are continuing discussions among our relevant institutions regarding the establishment of a nuclear power plant.” The talks also addressed areas where the two countries could cooperate, including Syria, Gaza, the reconstruction of Ukraine, Iraq, Africa, and Central Asia. Erdoğan said, “We believe we can work together with South Korea in various regions such as Syria, Gaza, the reconstruction of Ukraine, Iraq, Africa, and Central Asia.”
At the inter-delegation meeting, Turkey was represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the President’s Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security, Akif Çağatay Kılıç. On the Korean side, discussions focused on plans to expand cooperation in defense, energy, biotechnology, and cultural industries. Lee Jae Myung, in a press conference held on his aircraft, referred to these issues, stating, “We may seek cooperation with Turkey not only in the defense sector, but also nuclear energy, culture and tourism.”
Three Agreements Signed
In the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, three separate memoranda of understanding were signed between the two countries. The signings took place during a ceremony held after the inter-delegation talks at the Presidential Complex.
Memo of Understanding on Cooperation in Commemorating the Korean War: This document was signed between the Ministry of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea. At the signing ceremony, Turkey was represented by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, and South Korea by Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oheul.
Memo of Understanding on Nuclear Energy Cooperation: This agreement was signed between Turkish Nuclear Energy Corporation (TÜNAŞ) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). On behalf of Türkiye, the document was signed by TÜNAŞ General Manager Necati Yamaç, and on behalf of South Korea by KEPCO Chief Executive Officer Kim Dong-Cheol.
Memo of Understanding on Transportation and Infrastructure: This agreement was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye and the General Directorate of Highways, and on the Korean side by the Korea Expressway Corporation and the Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation. On behalf of Türkiye, the document was signed by General Director of Highways Ahmet Gülşen, and on behalf of Korea by Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ankara Jeong Yeon-doo.
Joint Press Conference
On 24 November 2025, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex following their talks.
Erdoğan recalled that he had sent Lee a message of congratulations upon his assumption of office in June and that they had spoken by phone. He said, “He has been familiar with the hardships of life from an early age, walked resolutely on the path he believed in, and earned the trust of the Korean people through his service to his country. I extend my best wishes to President Lee for his high office, in your presence.”
Erdoğan expressed “further delight” at the fact that a state visit at the presidential level from South Korea had taken place after many years. He stated, “We believe this visit has further strengthened the strong ties between Türkiye and South Korea. It brings us joy that Koreans, like us, regard Türkiye as a brotherly nation. As you know, we fought side by side on the same front during the Korean War and became blood brothers. Seventy-five years ago, Türkiye sent nearly 23,000 of our soldiers to lands thousands of kilometers away. On this occasion, we remember our martyrs and late veterans with mercy, and we respectfully and gratefully salute our living Korean veterans.”
Erdoğan stated that diplomatic relations with South Korea were established in 1957 and that a strategic partnership was formalized between the two countries in 2012. He added that the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations will be celebrated in 2027.
President Erdoğan said he had held comprehensive discussions with South Korean President Lee on all aspects of bilateral relations, exploring cooperation opportunities in areas ranging from trade and tourism to energy and defense industry infrastructure and transportation as well as science and technology and mutual investments. “Today another significant document was signed, foreseeing cooperation in wind energy between our private sectors. Furthermore we reached an agreement with our Korean friends to implement a joint project in plasma donation. We have come very close to the 15 billion dollar trade volume we previously set with South Korea our second largest trading partner in the Asia Pacific region. We have long surpassed the 10 billion dollar threshold through joint efforts. I also emphasized the need to review our Free Trade Agreement to achieve more balanced trade relations.”
Erdoğan expressed great satisfaction that Hyundai’s plant in İzmit will now produce electric vehicles through its new investment. “With this investment a new entirely domestic electric vehicle production process will begin in our country following our national brand TOGG. I reiterate here that we will provide full support to Korean companies that invest in and create production and employment opportunities in our country.”
Recalling that significant projects have already been signed with strategic partner South Korea in the defense industry Erdoğan described the Altay Tank project as “one of the most successful examples” and continued: “We aim to further diversify our joint projects in this field. During our bilateral talks we discussed numerous steps we can take together in the defense industry in the coming period. In addition discussions are ongoing between our relevant institutions regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant. I view the memorandum of understanding signed just now between the Korea Electric Power Corporation and the Turkish Nuclear Energy Corporation as an important step. We are also in agreement with South Korea on combating terrorism.”
Erdoğan noted that he and South Korean President Lee also addressed regional and international issues including Palestine Ukraine Syria and the Korean Peninsula and affirmed their agreement to continue cooperation on international and regional platforms such as the United Nations the G20 and MIKTA.
Regarding South Korea’s establishment of diplomatic relations with Syria Erdoğan remarked: “We believe we can work together not only on the reconstruction of Syria Gaza and Ukraine but also in other regions such as Iraq Africa and Central Asia. Specifically regarding the situation in Gaza we as Turkey and South Korea advocate for the continuation of the ceasefire the protection of innocent civilians and a two-state solution. The establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital within the 1967 borders is a fundamental condition for a just and sustainable peace. In this context we expect all our friendly brotherly and allied countries that have not yet done so to recognize the State of Palestine.”
South Korean President Lee
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed gratitude for Turkey’s hospitality saying “I am greatly honored to visit our brotherly country Turkey at a time that coincides with the 75th anniversary of Turkey’s participation in the Korean War and the first year of my presidency.”
Lee noted that “The friendship forged in blood and the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950 laid a solid foundation for the rapid development of relations between our two countries.” He recalled that the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership in 2012 and added that “Mutual interest based cooperation has continuously deepened encompassing political economic cultural and people-to-people exchanges.” He continued: “Especially Turkey located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has become a strong platform for Korean companies seeking access to the European market. During my discussions today with President Erdoğan we assessed the bilateral cooperation agenda rooted in our ancient friendship and comprehensively addressed issues aimed at elevating our strategic partnership to a future-oriented and mutually beneficial level.”
Lee emphasized that “Comprehensive discussions were also held on issues that will further deepen solidarity between our two countries.” He stated: “At a time when both nations are striving to strengthen their positions in the defense industry we are determined to continue our defense cooperation based on mutual trust including joint production technology collaboration and education.” Lee added: “Both governments agreed to provide the necessary information and support to ensure the smooth progress of negotiations and evaluations regarding the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant Project.”
Lee expressed his hope that “South Korea’s advanced nuclear technology and safe operational capabilities will make concrete contributions to Turkey’s nuclear energy development process.” He noted his satisfaction with the participation of Korean companies in Turkey’s local production project in the field of biotechnology.
Lee mentioned that regional and global issues including the Korean Peninsula were also discussed during the talks and said: “I thank President Erdoğan and the Turkish government for their steadfast support of my administration’s policy toward North Korea.” He underscored his high appreciation for “President Erdoğan’s and Turkey’s efforts to promote peace in the Middle East” and described his country’s recognition of Turkey’s contributions toward resolving the Syrian refugee crisis as “highly meaningful.” Lee pointed out that Korean culture and the Korean language are rapidly spreading across digital platforms in Turkey and expressed his delight at the interest shown in Korean culture.
Official Dinner at the Presidential Complex
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted a dinner at the Presidential Complex in honor of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The dinner was held off the record. Attendees included Mrs. Emine Erdoğan the wife of President Erdoğan Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung the wife of South Korean President Lee and Korean war veterans living in Turkey. President Erdoğan and Mrs. Emine Erdoğan along with South Korean President Lee and Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung engaged in conversation with the veterans during the event.
Visit to the “Turkish Soldiers Who Fought in Korea” Monument
On 25 November 2025 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited the “Turkish Soldiers Who Fought in Korea” Monument in Ankara. The visit was conducted in memory of Turkish soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War.
Lee was accompanied by his wife, Kim Hye-kyung. The couple laid a wreath at the memorial located in the Altındağ district of Ankara and then observed a moment of silence. During the ceremony, the national anthems of Türkiye and South Korea were performed. Following the ceremony, Lee greeted South Korean war veterans. As part of the visit, Lee’s gifts were presented to South Korean war veterans and their families.
The program was also attended by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, and Commander of the Air Force General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu. This visit marked the final official event of South Korean President Lee’s program in Türkiye.
