KUWAIT: South Korea imports around 100 million barrels of oil annually from Kuwait, making it the second-largest importer of Kuwaiti crude. The bilateral trade between the two countries has reached $10 billion. Jinhang Nah, Counselor of Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Korean Embassy, announced during a discussion with local media that Kuwait’s first fiber optic cable factory will begin production by the end of the month, highlighting the collaboration between Korea and Kuwait in various sectors; including construction, clean energy, medical services, transportation, and technological advancements.

He pointed out that Korean companies have been involved in developing Kuwait’s infrastructure since the early 1970s, when major projects like the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Bridge, the Clean Fuels Project, and the Al-Zour Refinery were built with the help of Korean firms, noting that currently, 16 Korean companies are actively participating in various developmental projects in Kuwait. There are ongoing negotiations for new agreements.

For his part, Byoung Gwan Lee, Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Counselor at the Korean Embassy, stated that Kuwait is a key global center for humanitarian aid, a status highlighted by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who recognized its leadership in this area, saying “Ten years ago, Kuwait was praised for its significant role in providing aid to various countries. This recognition has instilled pride in many Kuwaitis, who take immense pride in their country’s humanitarian efforts. Korea also shares this admiration for Kuwait’s contributions, especially given the current efforts of Korea, as a member of the UN Security Council, to foster peace in the Middle East. Korea’s commitment to resolving conflicts, such as the Gaza tragedy, aligns with Kuwait’s ongoing humanitarian mission.”

He added “The two Ks, Kuwait and Korea share a similar historical experience, both having rebuilt their nations following periods of conflict. This shared sense of resilience has fostered mutual respect between the two countries. Korea values Kuwait’s dedication to international aid. The bond between the two countries is strengthened by their shared experiences and common goals, including a focus on peace and development in the region.”

Meanwhile, Jinkuk Lee, Second Secretary at the Embassy, revealed that each year, around 100 Kuwaitis are learning the Korean language, adding “This growing interest reflects the expanding appeal of Korean culture in Kuwait, which initially focused on Korean dramas and films but has now broadened to include Korean food, music (especially K-pop), and traditions. This cultural expansion has driven the popularity of learning Korean, leading to the establishment of formal language courses and private institutions.”

In October last year, the King Sejong Institute, a major global language learning institute supported by the South Korean government, was opened in Kuwait to meet the rising demand for Korean language education. In less than a year, about 200 students have registered for these courses in the Language Center at Kuwait University in collaboration with King Sejong Institute. He highlighted the increasing enthusiasm for the popularity of Korean food that has grown too, with several Korean-style restaurants, reflecting the cultural influence.

Regarding tourism, he said that the field has witnessed a rise, indicating that before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 3,500 Kuwaitis visited Korea annually. However, the numbers have increased to over 4,000 post-pandemic. He explained “In the first half of this year alone, more than 2,000 Kuwaitis visited Korea, driven by the global popularity of K-pop and K-culture. It is expected to reach over 4,000 Kuwaiti tourists by the end of 2024.”

He revealed that the growing demand has also led to discussions about establishing a direct flight route between Kuwait and Korea, which could significantly boost tourism in the coming years, adding “This year will reach 4,000 Kuwaitis, but it is expected to be 5,000 next year growing to be 10,000 in five years if we manage to have direct flights.” Concerning the visa requirements for Kuwaitis, he noted that Kuwaitis are exempted from the visa, as for other nationalities, the visa process takes about three days to a week, explaining that “Applicants earning KD 400 and more are eligible for applying for the visa at the embassy, while other nationalities are eligible for K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization).”