Lee Jae-yong flies to UAE in first trip since becoming Samsung chairman

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong arrives at Gimpo International Airport after visiting United Arab Emirates last December. [YONHAP]

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong has flown to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), his first overseas business trip after being named chairman in October.

Lee left for Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, on Sunday, and is expected to attend a private forum hosted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Lee also attended the closed-door event last December.

The leader of Korea's biggest conglomerate has been building close business relationships in the Middle East.

In February 2019, Lee met with Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, then crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and discussed ways to expand cooperation in information and technology and broaden Samsung's foothold in the Persian Gulf country.

Sheikh Mohamed succeeded Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed in May as the president of the UAE, following the death of his older half brother who led the country for 18 years.

BY PARK EUN-JEE, YONHAP [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]