Korea, Egypt talk cooperation in defense and nuclear projects

National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seung sits across from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during a meeting at the presidential palace in Cairo on Sunday afternoon, local time. [NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER'S OFFICE]

National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt in Cairo on Sunday afternoon, local time, to discuss Egyptian cooperation in Korean defense and nuclear projects in the Middle Eastern country.

Speaker Hanafy el-Gebaly of the Egyptian House of Representatives and South Korean Ambassador to Egypt Hong Jin-uk also attended the meeting, which lasted 30 minutes.

During his meeting with the Egyptian president at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Park asked for Egypt’s support in Korean projects, including making additional railcars for the Cairo metro, exporting Hanwha Defense's K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer, potentially giving Korean technological support for the El Dabaa nuclear power plant and constructing shipyards near the Suez Canal.

In particular, the National Assembly speaker highlighted the competence of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), which is showing active interest in the construction of turbines for the El Dabaa plant. “Korea has experience in safely operating 24 nuclear reactors and is well acknowledged around the world for its technology, as shown in the successful operation of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates,” Park said.

Park also emphasized Korea’s shipbuilding capabilities to President Sisi, urging the Egyptian president to allow Korean companies to participate in the Suez Canal shipyard construction project, saying, “Korean shipbuilding technology leads the world.” Samsung Heavy Industries is known to be considering a potential bid in the project.

The National Assembly speaker further promised continued technical support and maintenance for the K-9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer export package, worth $2 billion, which Hanwha Defense is negotiating with the Egyptian Defense Ministry. “We will build long-term cooperation [with Egypt] by supporting Egyptian engineers beyond simple arms exports,” Park said.

In response to Park’s proposals, President Sisi responded that Korean companies investing and entering various fields in Egypt will receive special interest.

The two also exchanged views on ongoing international issues in the region of common interest to the two countries: namely, new developments in the humanitarian crisis in Libya and the Palestinian question, as well as peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The Egyptian president confirmed his country’s support for the continued safety and stability of the Korean Peninsula, while speaker Park praised Egypt's role as a pillar of security and stability in the Middle East and Africa. Park additionally commended Egyptian overtures to forge a political settlement of the crises facing the region.

President Sisi also commended Korea’s recent efforts to maintain calm between the Palestinians and Israelis and improve the humanitarian and living conditions of the Palestinians.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]