South Korea and the UAE have deepened their strategic partnership through a joint declaration, focusing on AI, renewable energy, and advanced technology collaborations, including South Korea’s participation in the UAE’s $22 billion Stargate AI project.
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have taken a significant step to deepen their bilateral relations through a joint declaration signed during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Abu Dhabi on November 18, 2025. This declaration outlines a broad framework for cooperation, spanning cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, civil nuclear energy, national defense and defense technology, water management, public health and healthcare, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. The agreement aims to establish a practical, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnership fostering shared prosperity between the two nations.
Central to the partnership is the establishment of a joint research and development platform, designed to facilitate technology transfer, expand human exchanges, and ensure the stability of supply chains for critical materials. Furthermore, the declaration emphasizes strategies for joint production ventures and collaborative entry into third-country markets, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to boost economic and technological ties. Both governments stressed the importance of building frameworks that not only promote innovation but also ensure long-term stability for their industries and economies.
Another pivotal element of this growing cooperation is South Korea’s commitment to join the UAE’s ambitious Stargate AI infrastructure project. This initiative, spearheaded by the UAE’s state-backed firm G42 alongside major U.S. technology companies such as OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, and Cisco, is poised to become one of the largest AI data center complexes globally. Set in Abu Dhabi, the project is backed by an initial investment exceeding $22 billion and will feature a capacity potentially reaching 5 gigawatts. South Korea’s participation is expected to open significant opportunities for Korean AI startups and data centre specialists, enabling them to expand their footprint in the global AI market and engage in groundbreaking technological developments.
President Lee also expressed optimism about expanding cooperation beyond AI, highlighting renewable energy and advanced technologies as key areas for enhanced collaboration. He proposed that Korean firms play a pivotal role in the UAE’s AI semiconductor ecosystem and laid out plans to extend energy cooperation to renewable sources and small modular nuclear reactors. Notably, Lee emphasised the synergy between the UAE’s abundant solar power resources and Korea’s expertise in battery and energy-storage technologies, signalling a shared vision of sustainable energy innovation.
This newly forged alliance comes amid a global scramble for leadership in emerging technologies and sustainable energy solutions. By combining their resources and expertise, South Korea and the UAE appear well-positioned to accelerate progress in AI development, energy innovation, and other strategic sectors. The collaboration not only strengthens their bilateral relations but also aims to produce ripple effects in third markets, enhancing their influence on the global stage.
While the declaration firmly sets a cooperative tone, the true test will lie in the implementation of the outlined initiatives and how effectively both countries manage technological, economic, and geopolitical challenges that may arise. Nonetheless, this partnership signals a forward-looking approach, leveraging complementary strengths to foster economic growth and technological advancement.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (MLex) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2
- [2] (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2
- [3], [5], [6], [7] (Korea Times) – Paragraph 3
- [4] (Korea Times) – Paragraph 4, Paragraph 5
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated November 18, 2025, detailing the joint declaration between South Korea and the UAE. ([mofa.gov.ae](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/MediaHub/News/2025/11/18/18-11-2025-uae-korea?utm_source=openai)) This press release is the earliest known publication of the content, indicating high freshness. The report has been republished across reputable outlets, including Reuters and The Korea Times, confirming its originality. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/south-korea-agrees-join-uaes-stargate-ai-project-2025-11-18/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes in the narrative are consistent with those found in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release. ([mofa.gov.ae](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/MediaHub/News/2025/11/18/18-11-2025-uae-korea?utm_source=openai)) No discrepancies or variations in wording have been identified, confirming the accuracy and consistency of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a reputable government entity, and has been corroborated by multiple reputable news outlets, including Reuters and The Korea Times. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/south-korea-agrees-join-uaes-stargate-ai-project-2025-11-18/?utm_source=openai)) This indicates high source reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative align with recent developments and announcements from both South Korea and the UAE regarding AI, energy, and defence cooperation. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/south-korea-agrees-join-uaes-stargate-ai-project-2025-11-18/?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone are consistent with official communications from both governments, and the narrative includes specific details such as the establishment of a joint R&D platform and participation in the Stargate AI infrastructure project, which are corroborated by multiple reputable sources. ([mofa.gov.ae](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/MediaHub/News/2025/11/18/18-11-2025-uae-korea?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, detailing the joint declaration between South Korea and the UAE on AI, energy, and defence cooperation. The content is original, with consistent and accurate quotes, and is corroborated by multiple reputable sources, indicating high freshness and reliability. The claims are plausible and align with recent developments, further supporting the credibility of the narrative.
