The leaders of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were set to hold a summit in Seoul on Feb. 27, 2019 to discuss ways to further improve the countries' bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

President Moon Jae-in will host Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae through an official welcome ceremony and face-to-face talks. The summit follows a social dinner held between the leaders after the Crown Prince's arrival here Tuesday for a two-day official visit.

President Moon Jae-in (left) with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE Armed Forces.

"At the upcoming summit, the two leaders are set to focus on specific and practical ways to further develop the ties between the two countries into a more mutually beneficial and future-oriented relationship," Cheong Wa Dae said earlier.

South Korea and the UAE upgraded their bilateral relationship to a "special strategic partnership" during Moon's visit to the Middle Eastern country in March last year.

The presidential office said the leaders will likely seek ways to expand the countries' cooperation to advanced, tech-heavy industries, including semiconductors, 5G and information communication technology.

As of 2018, the UAE was the world's single largest destination for South Korean construction companies, with South Korea's state-run power company building four nuclear reactors in the Middle Eastern country. The country is also the largest importer of South Korean goods in the Middle East, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

"The UAE is one of our key friendly nations that is also the only country in the Middle East to have established a special strategic partnership with our country," it said in press release. (Yonhap)

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