(Yonhap Interview) Erdogan seeks stronger S. Korea partnership in energy, tech, logistics amid global uncertainties

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By Oh Seok-min and Kim Dong-ho

SEOUL/ISTANBUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is an important potential partner in Turkey's planned Sinop nuclear power plant project, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, calling for broader bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies, defense, logistics and various other sectors amid global uncertainties.

Erdogan made the remarks in an exclusive written interview with Yonhap News Agency ahead of his state visit to Seoul this week, saying the visit aims to enhance political dialogue and revitalize bilateral economic ties.

"We regard the Republic of Korea as a great potential collaborator on this initiative," Erdogan said, referring to Turkey's plan to build its second nuclear power plant in Sinop on the country's Black Sea coast.

Seoul and Ankara signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear energy cooperation during President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Turkey last year. The agreement covers cooperation in reactor technology, site assessment, licensing, financing and business models.

Turkey has since conducted extensive preliminary feasibility studies with Seoul's state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and continues to evaluate the project's technical and economic conditions, according to Erdogan.

"We attach considerable importance to the negotiations we are holding with Korea on this topic. We are well aware of our Korean friends' experience with nuclear energy," he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a joint press conference with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the presidential palace in Ankara in this file photo taken Nov. 24, 2025, during Lee's state visit to Turkey. (Yonhap)

Erdogan, however, stressed that the final decision would take into account various factors, including power generation costs, financing arrangements and the project's potential benefits for the Turkish economy.

"We are taking into account our contacts with other countries and examining all possible choices in light of our national interests," he said.

Beyond nuclear energy, Erdogan expressed optimism about expanding bilateral cooperation in defense, semiconductors, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies.

"Our goal is to transform these prospects into tangible initiatives, facilitate business opportunities for our companies, and enhance reciprocal investments," Erdogan said.

The president welcomed South Korea's interest in Turkey's PD170 turbodiesel aircraft engine, saying he saw significant opportunities to expand bilateral defense industry cooperation in such areas as unmanned aerial vehicles, engine technologies and electronic systems.

Erdogan also called on South Korean companies to expand their investments in Turkey and deepen partnerships with Turkish firms, particularly in joint production and technology development.

"With its strong manufacturing infrastructure, skilled workforce and strategic location, Turkey offers significant opportunities for Korean investors," the Turkish president said. "By combining the Republic of Korea's expertise in technology and innovation with Turkiye's manufacturing strength, we can achieve far greater success."

Erdogan cited Hyundai Motor Group's long-standing automotive manufacturing operations in Turkey and POSCO's investments in the steel sector as examples of existing bilateral cooperation, while welcoming Hyundai's launch of electric vehicle production at its plant in Izmit.

He also called for greater South Korean investment in Turkey's transport and logistics infrastructure, citing serious risks to global energy markets and trade routes, including those through the Strait of Hormuz.

"The current crisis has once again demonstrated just how vital it is to develop reliable alternative routes for international trade," he said, pointing to Turkey's efforts to expand transport and logistics links connecting Asia and Europe, including plans to revive the historic Hejaz Railway.

"We would like to see greater participation by Korean companies in Turkiye's regional transport and logistics investments," Erdogan said, adding that Ankara was ready to support Korean firms seeking to invest in the country.

President Lee Jae Myung (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands ahead of their talks in Ankara in this Nov. 24, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)

On broader economic issues, Erdogan urged the two countries to address what he described as a significant imbalance in bilateral trade, with Turkey exporting about US$1.14 billion worth of goods to South Korea in 2025, while importing $10.26 billion.

"We have set a target of $15 billion in bilateral trade volume. As we work toward this goal, we prioritize developing a more balanced trade structure, expanding investment and encouraging greater collaboration in production," the president said.

Erdogan called on the two countries to carry their longstanding friendship into the future, describing their bond as one "forged in blood."

"The bonds of brotherhood and mutual trust that have been passed down through generations are at the center of our relationships. It is our responsibility to pass this treasured legacy on to future generations in an even stronger form," he said. "I believe that our visit will pave the way for concrete steps to further advance cooperation between our two countries."

South Korea and Turkey are set to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

graceoh@yna.co.kr (END)

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(Yonhap Interview) Erdogan seeks stronger S. Korea partnership in energy, tech, logistics amid global uncertainties

这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章。

作者：吴锡民、金东浩

首尔/伊斯坦布尔，11月2日（韩联社）——土耳其总统雷杰普·塔伊普·埃尔多安表示，韩国是土耳其计划建设的锡诺普核电站项目的重要潜在合作伙伴，并呼吁在全球不确定性加剧的背景下，在先进技术、国防、物流和其他各个领域开展更广泛的双边合作。

埃尔多安本周将对首尔进行国事访问，他在接受韩联社独家书面采访时发表了上述言论。他表示，此次访问旨在加强政治对话，重振双边经济关系。

埃尔多安表示：“我们认为韩国是这项计划中极具潜力的合作伙伴。”他指的是土耳其计划在黑海沿岸的锡诺普建造第二座核电站。

去年，韩国总统李在明对土耳其进行国事访问期间，首尔和安卡拉签署了核能合作谅解备忘录。该协议涵盖反应堆技术、选址评估、许可证发放、融资和商业模式等方面的合作。

据埃尔多安称，土耳其此后与首尔的国营韩国电力公司（KEPCO）进行了广泛的初步可行性研究，并继续评估该项目的技术和经济条件。

他说：“我们高度重视与韩国就此议题进行的谈判。我们非常了解韩国朋友在核能方面的经验。”

这张摄于2025年11月24日的资料照片显示，土耳其总统雷杰普·塔伊普·埃尔多安在安卡拉总统府与韩国总统李在明举行联合记者招待会，当时李在明正在对土耳其进行国事访问。（韩联社）

然而，埃尔多安强调，最终决定将考虑各种因素，包括发电成本、融资安排以及该项目对土耳其经济的潜在益处。

他说：“我们正在考虑与其他国家的联系，并根据我们的国家利益审查所有可能的选择。”

除了核能之外，埃尔多安还对扩大在国防、半导体、机器人、人工智能（AI）和其他先进技术领域的双边合作表示乐观。

埃尔多安表示：“我们的目标是将这些前景转化为切实可行的举措，为我们的公司创造商业机会，并加强互利投资。”

总统对韩国对土耳其PD170涡轮柴油飞机发动机的兴趣表示欢迎，并表示他看到了在无人机、发动机技术和电子系统等领域扩大双边国防工业合作的巨大机遇。

埃尔多安还呼吁韩国企业扩大在土耳其的投资，并深化与土耳其企业的合作，尤其是在联合生产和技术开发方面。

土耳其总统表示：“土耳其拥有强大的制造业基础设施、技术娴熟的劳动力和优越的地理位置，为韩国投资者提供了巨大的机遇。通过将韩国在技术和创新方面的专长与土耳其的制造业实力相结合，我们可以取得更大的成功。”

埃尔多安列举了现代汽车集团在土耳其的长期汽车制造业务和浦项钢铁在钢铁领域的投资作为现有双边合作的例证，同时对现代汽车在其伊兹密特工厂启动电动汽车生产表示欢迎。

他还呼吁韩国加大对土耳其交通和物流基础设施的投资，理由是这将对全球能源市场和贸易路线（包括途经霍尔木兹海峡的路线）构成严重风险。

“当前的危机再次表明，发展可靠的国际贸易替代路线是多么重要，”他说道，并指出土耳其正在努力扩大连接亚洲和欧洲的运输和物流联系，包括计划恢复历史悠久的汉志铁路。

埃尔多安表示：“我们希望看到韩国企业更多地参与土耳其的区域交通和物流投资。”他还补充说，安卡拉准备支持有意在土耳其投资的韩国企业。

这张摄于2025年11月24日的资料照片显示，韩国总统李在明（左）与土耳其总统雷杰普·塔伊普·埃尔多安在安卡拉举行会谈前握手。（韩联社）

在更广泛的经济问题上，埃尔多安敦促两国解决他所说的双边贸易严重失衡的问题。他表示，到 2025 年，土耳其向韩国出口的商品价值约为 11.4 亿美元，而进口额则高达 102.6 亿美元。

总统表示：“我们已设定双边贸易额目标为150亿美元。为实现这一目标，我们将优先发展更加平衡的贸易结构，扩大投资，并鼓励在生产领域加强合作。”

埃尔多安呼吁两国将长久的友谊延续到未来，并称两国的纽带是“用鲜血铸就的”。

“世代相传的兄弟情谊和互信是我们两国关系的核心。我们有责任将这份珍贵的遗产以更加牢固的形式传承给子孙后代，”他说道。“我相信，此次访问将为进一步推进两国合作奠定坚实的基础。”

韩国和土耳其将于明年庆祝建交70周年。

graceoh@yna.co.kr (完)

（第二部分）李明博和埃尔多安在峰会会谈中同意加强国防和核能合作

（导语）据报道，韩国、日本和土耳其的护卫舰正被考虑用于建造美国新型护卫舰。

（新闻焦点）李光耀寻求在贸易秩序转变之际扩大与全球南方国家的经济联系

（导语）发言人称，李和特朗普在北约晚宴上讨论了合作建造美国军舰的问题。

韩国和土耳其外长本周将举行会谈，讨论双边关系和地区问题。

（韩联社专访）在全球不确定性加剧的背景下，埃尔多安寻求加强与韩国在能源、科技和物流领域的合作