South Korea, Turkey agree to expand nuclear energy and defense cooperation South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed at a summit on Tuesday to expand nuclear energy and defense cooperation, including one of Turkey's largest energy projects, Lee said. The leaders also agreed to work closely together in other areas, including infrastructure, biotechnology and critical minerals. Erdogan, who is on his first visit to South Korea since 2018, said he and Lee discussed ways to increase bilateral trade from the previously agreed upon $11 billion to $15 billion, as well as the need to update the free trade agreement between the two countries. The two countries note that cooperation in building nuclear reactors in Sinop is progressing well, Lee said. Erdogan said that South Korea could become a partner in implementing the project in Sinop. South Korea and Turkey have developed defense industries, and Lee said they would seek to jointly export military products to third countries, without elaborating. During the meeting, we emphasized the need to increase the number of successful joint projects, such as the Pirtina self-propelled artillery mounts and the Altai tank, Erdogan said. Lee said Turkey confirmed its support for South Korea's policy toward North Korea and the leaders agreed on strategic coordination to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea, Turkey agree to expand nuclear energy and defense cooperation South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed at a summit on Tuesday to expand nuclear energy and defense cooperation, including one of Turkey's largest energy projects, Lee said. The leaders also agreed to work closely together in other areas, including infrastructure, biotechnology and critical minerals. Erdogan, who is on his first visit to South Korea since 2018, said he and Lee discussed ways to increase bilateral trade from the previously agreed upon $11 billion to $15 billion, as well as the need to update the free trade agreement between the two countries. The two countries note that cooperation in building nuclear reactors in Sinop is progressing well, Lee said. Erdogan said that South Korea could become a partner in implementing the project in Sinop. South Korea and Turkey have developed defense industries, and Lee said they would seek to jointly export military products to third countries, without elaborating. During the meeting, we emphasized the need to increase the number of successful joint projects, such as the Pirtina self-propelled artillery mounts and the Altai tank, Erdogan said. Lee said Turkey confirmed its support for South Korea's policy toward North Korea and the leaders agreed on strategic coordination to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula.