South Korean President Seeks Stronger Ties With Saudi Arabia on Energy, Defense

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol takes a question during a news conference to mark his first 100 days in office at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 17, 2022. (Chung Sung-Jun/The Canadian Press via AP)

The president of South Korea on Nov. 21 reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to bolstering ties with Saudi Arabia in energy, defense, and infrastructure, following his meeting last week with the country’s crown prince.

President Yoon Suk-yeol voiced his government’s support for Saudi Arabia’s economic reform plan, titled Vision 2030, in a letter to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Yonhap News Agency reported.

“We will cooperate closely for the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” Yoon was quoted as saying by deputy presidential spokesperson Lee Jae-myung.

Saudi Arabia, in its Vision 2030, aims to diversify its economy to reduce its reliance on oil. Yoon said the crown prince’s visit to South Korea last week was “an important milestone” in deepening their relationship.

The two leaders met in Seoul on Nov. 17 after Crown Prince Mohammed arrived from the G-20 summit in Indonesia.

They discussed cooperation on mega-projects—particularly the participation of South Korean companies in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM smart city project—the defense industry, and energy sources.

Both sides agreed to deepen bilateral ties into a “future-oriented strategic partnership” and set up a “strategic partnership committee” to realize their goal, according to a statement released by Yoon’s office.

“Saudi Arabia is [South Korea’s] largest trading partner in the Middle East, and a partner in overseas construction, as well as a core partner in our economic and energy security,” Yoon said.

South Korea’s Industry Ministry earlier said that companies, including Samsung C&T Corp. and POSCO Holdings Inc., signed more than 20 agreements with Saudi counterparts in energy cooperation, railways, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and gaming.

Saudi-based Asharq TV cited the kingdom’s investment minister as saying deals signed on Nov. 17 were worth $30 billion. It also quoted the Saudi Venture Capital Investment Co. as saying it had agreed to establish seven specialized funds.

US Suggests Immunity in Khashoggi’s Death

Meanwhile, the Biden administration on Nov. 17 suggested that Saudi Arabia’s crown prince be granted immunity from a U.S. civil lawsuit filed against him in connection with the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In a court filing, the administration noted the crown prince’s appointment as prime minister in September, which they said made him “the sitting head of government of a foreign state.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) welcomes U.S. President Joe Biden to Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 15, 2022. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

The filing noted that the Biden administration, in making the immunity determination, takes “no view on the merits of the present suit and reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the heinous murder of Jamal Khashoggi.”

Ultimately, a judge will have the final say on whether to grant immunity to the crown prince.

The filing is the result of a lawsuit filed by Khashoggi’s fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, and the human rights group that Khashoggi founded: Democracy for the Arab World Now.

Khashoggi was an outspoken critic of the Saudi government, which has repeatedly come under fire from human rights organizations and United Nations bodies over its human rights violations and laws that restrict political and religious expression.

Biden’s decision marks a stark U-turn from his previous stance on the 2018 death of the journalist, which is believed to have occurred inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The U.S. intelligence community has tied the death to the crown prince, who it believes approved the killing, although Khashoggi’s remains have never been found.

Katabella Roberts and Reuters contributed to this report.