The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea enjoy a longstanding and steadily evolving bilateral relationship that has continued to flourish since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1980. The Republic of Korea opened its Embassy in Abu Dhabi that same year, while the United Arab Emirates inaugurated its Embassy in Seoul in 1987.
Since then, bilateral cooperation has expanded significantly across a wide range of sectors. Relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2009, with the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant standing as one of the landmark achievements of this partnership. In 2018, the relationship was further elevated to the level of a Special Strategic Partnership.
The close cooperation between the two countries has led to the establishment of several high-level strategic mechanisms, including the Strategic Dialogue between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Annual Defense Ministers' Meeting, the 2+2 Dialogue between the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense, the High-Level Consultations on Nuclear Cooperation, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Joint Consular Committee. The two countries have also concluded numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding across various fields, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
High-level exchanges between the leadership of the two countries remain a cornerstone of this partnership. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea in May 2024. Previously, His Highness visited the Republic of Korea in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2019 in his capacity as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. President Lee Jae-myung paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2025. Earlier presidential visits included those by President Lee Myung-bak in 2009 and 2011, President Park Geun-hye in 2014 and 2015, President Moon Jae-in in 2018 and 2022, and President Yoon Suk Yeol in 2023.
