Sheikha Latifa explores closer UAE-South Korea cooperation in Seoul
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum led a high-level delegation to Seoul for talks with South Korean ministers, officials and business leaders on education, culture, creative industries and technology. The chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority also visited companies to learn about their research and digital content businesses.
Sara Khan
Education and the delegation's agenda
In her meeting with Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin, Sheikha Latifa discussed how South Korea is adapting education to advances in knowledge and technology. They considered closer links between educational institutions in the UAE and South Korea, including the exchange of innovative teaching practices to improve instruction and learning outcomes.
The visit had a broader agenda. In its October 28, 2026, announcement, Dubai Media Office said the delegation would discuss culture and the creative industries, the digital economy, healthcare, education, innovation, entrepreneurship, urban planning and economic development. The planned itinerary combined meetings with senior officials, decision-makers and business leaders with visits to leading institutions and companies.
Sheikha Latifa was accompanied by Maryam Al Hammadi, minister of state and secretary general of the UAE Cabinet; Aisha Miran, director general of Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority; other delegation members; and senior South Korean government officials.
Cultural partnerships and exchanges
Talks with Chae Hwi-young, South Korea's minister of culture, sports and tourism, addressed long-term partnerships in culture, tourism and the creative industries. According to Dubai Media Office, the discussions covered cultural exchange and opportunities for creative talent in both countries.
South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the meeting was held on the afternoon of October 29, 2026, at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, known as MMCA Seoul. The minister called Korea and the UAE "special strategic partners and brotherly nations" and said they agreed to continue cooperation in culture and tourism, including the cultural and creative industries.
Recent exchanges include "Approaches," which the Seoul Museum of Art hosted in December 2025. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes it as the first major exhibition of contemporary Emirati art in South Korea. Organized with the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, it featured more than 110 works.
The ministry also notes that the two countries announced plans to develop a "Korean City" project in the UAE during South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's official visit there in 2025.
Digital government, research and children's content
Seoul's use of technology in public administration was the subject of Sheikha Latifa's meeting with Chung Young-jun, director general of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Digital City Bureau. They discussed the city's digital transformation approach and technological tools for improving government services and managing urban operations more efficiently.
At LG Science Park, Ko Yoon-joo, president of LG Global Strategy Center, briefed her on the park's research and development work. The visit examined how advanced technology helps turn that research into practical applications.
Sheikha Latifa also met Kim Min-seok, CEO and co-founder of The Pinkfong Company, to discuss its production of children's entertainment for international audiences. Their conversation addressed the role of digital media and innovation in creating content and expanding its reach, as well as potential cooperation in creative industries and digital content.
The studio behind "Baby Shark," Pinkfong says it has produced and distributed more than 7,000 pieces of content in 25 languages across 244 countries and territories. According to The Investor, the company began trading on South Korea's Kosdaq on November 18, 2025, and closed its debut session about 9% above its offering price.
Diplomatic and trade ties
The UAE and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1980, according to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They raised the relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2009 and a Special Strategic Partnership in 2018.
Their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA, was signed on May 29, 2024, and took effect on May 1, 2026, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade says. The agreement commits the two countries to tariff liberalization covering approximately 91.2% of tariff lines, with duties to be phased out over as long as 10 years.
