The Times Kuwait Report
South Korea and Kuwait should move beyond their traditional cooperation in energy and infrastructure and build a broader, long-term partnership centred on investment, technology, innovation and knowledge exchange, South Korean Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Kim Jang-Hyun said.
Speaking to members of the local media, Ambassador Kim said strengthening economic and political relations, encouraging mutual investment and expanding cooperation into emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation would be among his key priorities during his tenure.
He also identified defence, healthcare, tourism and culture as areas where the two countries could deepen cooperation, while stressing that the longstanding relationship between Kuwait and Korea provides a strong foundation for a new phase of partnership.
A relationship ready for its next phase
Reflecting on his recent meeting with His Highness the Amir, Ambassador Kim described presenting his credentials as one of the most memorable moments of his diplomatic career.
It was his first meeting with His Highness the Amir, he said, expressing appreciation for the Amir’s warm personality and the hospitality extended to him and his delegation. The meeting, he added, also highlighted a shared interest in strengthening political and economic relations and increasing high-level exchanges between Kuwait and South Korea.
The ambassador said he conveyed the greetings of the President of the Republic of Korea to His Highness the Amir, who in turn conveyed his greetings to the Korean leadership. For Kim, however, strengthening the relationship means going beyond traditional government-to-government engagement.
From projects to partnership
Kuwait and South Korea have worked together for decades, particularly in energy and infrastructure. Those sectors will remain important, but Ambassador Kim believes the relationship now needs to evolve.
He said the two countries should move away from a model based primarily on individual transactions involving the sale and purchase of goods and services and toward a partnership based on mutual investment, long-term commitment and trust.
This, he said, would create opportunities for companies from both countries to invest in each other’s economies and establish a more sustainable commercial relationship.
Bringing Korean technology into Kuwait
One of the clearest areas for expanding this partnership is technology. Ambassador Kim said South Korea wants to bring its expertise in artificial intelligence, digital transformation and smart technologies into sectors where the two countries already cooperate.
Rather than limiting Korean participation to the construction of infrastructure, he said, cooperation could extend to the operation and development of those facilities through advanced technologies.
He cited airport operations as an example. Incheon International Airport Corporation has been involved in operating Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport and, according to the ambassador, is interested in an opportunity to operate Terminal 2 once the project is completed.
Korean expertise in AI, smart-office systems and facility management could also contribute to developing a smarter airport environment, improving operational efficiency, passenger services and the overall travel experience.
Defence cooperation gains importance
The ambassador also sees scope for expanding bilateral cooperation in defence, particularly in light of recent regional security developments. He said the challenges witnessed in the region have demonstrated the importance of strengthening air-defence capabilities and protecting critical infrastructure.
Kim referred to South Korea’s Cheongung-II medium-range air-defence system, which is operated by the UAE, and said media reports had put its interception rate at around 96 percent.
He also highlighted what he described as the system’s cost competitiveness, shorter delivery timeframe and interoperability with equipment supplied by other major manufacturers.
Several Korean defence companies, he said, are interested in cooperation with Kuwait. However, he stressed that discussions remain at an early stage and that it would be premature to discuss specific agreements or contracts.
Reviving Korean business activity in Kuwait
The ambassador’s focus on investment is also linked to his intention to encourage greater participation by Korean companies in Kuwait. More than 10 Korean companies currently operate in Kuwait, with several maintaining offices and employees in the country.
Kim said Kuwait has historically been an important market for Korean infrastructure companies. Between 2000 and 2025, the average annual value of projects secured and implemented by Korean companies in Kuwait was around $1.7 billion.
The peak came in 2014, when the value of Korean projects reached approximately $7.7 billion. However, he acknowledged that Korean companies’ activity in Kuwait has declined in recent years. Reversing that trend and encouraging Korean companies to compete for future projects will therefore be one of his priorities.
Energy remains a foundation
Despite the expansion into new sectors, energy remains a central pillar of the bilateral relationship. On Kuwaiti crude exports to South Korea, Ambassador Kim said Korean imports of Kuwaiti oil declined during the spring, according to official Korean government trade statistics.
Imports began recovering from June, although they have not yet returned to previous levels. He said the Kuwaiti government and relevant companies were making considerable efforts to maintain the flow of Kuwaiti crude to international markets.
Strengthening political consultations
The ambassador also highlighted the importance of recent high-level political exchanges, including the visit of Kuwait’s Foreign Minister to South Korea. He described the visit as important and said discussions on various issues and agreements were continuing.
Encouraging two-way investment
Investment is not a one-way priority, the ambassador stressed. Kuwaiti investment in South Korea has received increased attention in Korean media, particularly following the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister’s visit.
Kim said the Korean stock market and major Korean companies offer opportunities for foreign investors, while investment in Korean businesses can also support research, development and innovation. The objective, he said, is for investment to benefit both sides and contribute to stronger commercial ties.
Healthcare as knowledge exchange
Beyond infrastructure, technology and investment, healthcare represents another area where Korea and Kuwait can build a deeper relationship. Ambassador Kim pointed to Korean expertise in oncology, cardiac and liver treatment and complex surgery.
Korean hospitals already host Kuwaiti doctors for training and fellowship programmes, allowing them to return to Kuwait with specialised knowledge and skills.
Korean specialists also visit Kuwait periodically to conduct follow-up training. Kim said he hoped more Kuwaiti doctors would undertake residency, fellowship and specialised training in Korea, creating long-term professional relationships between medical institutions in the two countries.
Tourism and people-to-people ties
The ambassador also wants to increase the number of Kuwaitis visiting South Korea. Kuwaiti citizens can travel to South Korea for tourism or business purposes without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, subject to the required K-ETA travel authorisation.
Kim said approximately 4,000 Kuwaitis visited Korea in 2024 and expressed hope that the number would increase through greater promotion of cultural and medical tourism.
The growing Korean wave in Kuwait
The relationship is increasingly extending beyond governments and businesses, particularly among Kuwait’s younger generation. Korean music, films, television dramas, food and skincare have all contributed to growing interest in Korean culture.
The embassy is also working to expand opportunities for Kuwaitis to learn the Korean language. The embassy is also preparing for another Korean street food festival in the month of November.
A broader partnership
For Ambassador Kim, the future of Kuwait-Korea relations lies in combining the strengths of the traditional partnership with the opportunities created by new technologies and investment.
Energy and infrastructure will remain important, but the next phase of cooperation can extend across AI, digital transformation, defence, healthcare, investment, tourism and culture.
The objective is not simply to expand the number of projects between the two countries, but to build deeper connections between their governments, companies, institutions and people.
