Turkey's Erdogan proposes South Korean partnership in nuclear power, AI, defense

Jerusalem Post/World NewsIn an interview, Erdogan also identified defense, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and robotics as potential areas for cooperation and called for more South Korean investment in Turkey.Follow us on GoogleTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends a press conference follwing his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (not pictured) in Istanbul, Turkey, October 31, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/KEMAL ASLAN)NOVEMBER 2, 2026 09:31Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said South Korea could become a partner in developing Turkey's planned Sinop nuclear power station, according to an interview with Yonhap News Agency reported on Monday.Turkey has been studying the technical and economic terms of the Black Sea project with state-run Korea Electric Power Corp, Erdogan said.Ankara would weigh financing, electricity costs and benefits to the Turkish economy before choosing a partner, he added.Erdogan is due in Seoul on Monday for a three-day state visit, his first to South Korea since 2018.He will hold a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday, Seoul's presidential office said.South Korean President Lee Jae Myung leaves after delivering a budget speech for 2027 at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, November 2, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/LEE JIN-MAN/POOL)Defenses, semiconductors, AI, nuclear ties proposed between South Korea, TurkeyIn his interview with Yonhap, Erdogan also identified defense, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and robotics as potential areas for cooperation and called for more South Korean investment and joint production in Turkey.He said the countries were working towards a $15 billion bilateral trade target, while calling for efforts to address an imbalance in South Korea's favor.He invited South Korean companies to participate in Turkish transport and logistics projects linking Asia and Europe.Follow us on Google