South Korea and Turkey Deepen Nuclear Energy, Defense Ties at Seoul Summit
The leaders backed closer cooperation on Turkey's planned Sinop nuclear plant, defense production and technology during talks in Seoul.
South Korea and Turkey agreed Tuesday to strengthen cooperation in nuclear energy and defense during a summit in Seoul between President Lee Jae Myung and visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The leaders met at Cheong Wa Dae during Erdogan's first state visit to South Korea in eight years. They also discussed the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, according to South Korean and international reports.
The two sides signed a memorandum on financing cooperation for nuclear power projects, building on a November 2025 agreement linked to Turkey's planned Sinop nuclear plant on the Black Sea coast. South Korean companies are seeking to participate in the project.
Lee said cooperation on the Sinop project was progressing, including site assessments and a joint working group. The financing memorandum is intended to support South Korean companies' participation; the reports did not announce a completed construction contract.
On defense, the countries agreed to expand joint production and technological cooperation and explore opportunities to enter third-country markets together. Their existing partnership includes Turkey's Altay tank, which uses South Korean technology and components, the Korea Herald reported.
The leaders also backed broader cooperation on energy, science and technology, natural resources and mining. Lee said they would maintain close communication to help resolve conflicts and restore regional stability.
Bilateral trade reached a record $10.7 billion last year, according to the reports. A free trade agreement between the two countries took effect in 2013.