At Thursday's meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol, President Karis will focus on strengthening economic relations between Estonia and South Korea. The two heads of state will also talk about bilateral defence cooperation and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe, including Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East.
The Estonian Head of State will then visit the 1st Artillery Brigade of the Republic of Korea’s Army, where he will be given a demonstration of K9 howitzers. President Karis will also meet with Jae-il Son, the President of Hanwha Aerospace, which manufactures K9 howitzers, to discuss how the production K9 howitzers for the Estonian Defence Forces is progressing. In addition, President Karis will visit the Dora observation deck to learn about the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The purpose of President Karis’ visit is to confirm the image of Estonia as an attractive country for investments and to introduce Estonia's economic environment. Meetings of Estonian entrepreneurs with Korean partners will take place in the Estonian Seoul Business Centre as part of the visit. The business delegation includes Elcogen, H2Electro, Insta Globe Engineering, Harmet, the Estonian Marine and Manufacturing Initiative, the Port of Tallinn and Eesti Energia.
President Karis will meet with the heads of South Korean companies, such as HD Hyundai President Ki Sun Chung and SK Group Chairman Anthony Chey. He will also visit the LG Science Park and meet with its president and the chairman of the LG Group Technology Council, I.P. Park.
On Friday, the Head of State will visit the oldest university in South Korea, Sungkyunkwan University, where he will give a lecture to students and meet with management.
President Karis will be returning to Estonia on Saturday morning.
