South Korea Joins UAE's Stargate AI Infrastructure Project in $100 Billion Strategic Partnership

Korea signs on to UAE Stargate initiative to create world's largest AI infrastructure

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea walks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, upon arriving at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi for a state visit on Nov. 18, 2025. (Yonhap) South Korea has agreed to cooperate with the United Arab Emirates on the UAE Stargate project, which will establish the world's largest artificial intelligence infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. Upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi for a state visit, President Lee Jae Myung referred to the UAE, the only country in the Middle East with which Korea has a "special strategic partnership," as a "brother nation." "Let us boldly move forward toward shared growth and mutual prosperity, going beyond the pursuit of profit through transactions and contracts," he said. During his visit to the UAE, Lee held a summit with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday (local time) and signed several memoranda of understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in terms of economy and high-tech industries such as AI, nuclear energy, and the biohealth field. The documents signed by the two leaders that day include a statement of partnership on new nuclear energy technology, AI, and global market cooperation; a framework for strategic cooperation in the field of AI; and an agreement to revise the MOU on strengthening cooperation in the field of intellectual property. MOUs were also signed on the following: cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence; an agreement to administer and operate an Economic Cooperation Committee for the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement; and comprehensive cooperation in the biohealth sector. The most notable among these agreements is Korea's decision to participate in the UAE's Stargate project, for which Korea will make an initial investment of 30 trillion won (US$20 million) to build AI and energy infrastructure. In this regard, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as "physical AI," which integrates robotics and other technologies across manufacturing to enhance productivity. "The anticipated outcomes exceed a total of US$100 billion, including US$20 billion in AI cooperation, US$15 billion in defense exports, and US$7.04 billion in K-culture," stated Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, at a briefing Tuesday. Kang departed for Abu Dhabi last Thursday as the presidential special envoy for strategic economic cooperation. "This summit will serve as a starting point for the two nations to move beyond a simple display of friendship and advance toward a substantive economic alliance," Kang said. By Um Ji-won, staff reporter; Shin Hyeong-cheol, staff reporter

Korea to join UAE's Stargate AI infrastructure project - The Korea Times

2 nations agree to deepen cooperation in energy, defense, space Korea will participate in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure development project, widely known as Stargate UAE, which is set to become one of the world's largest, the presidential office said Tuesday. The Stargate initiative, led by U.S. companies including OpenAI, involves building AI data centers in Abu Dhabi with an initial investment exceeding 30 trillion won ($22 billion) and a maximum capacity of up to 5 gigawatts. The two countries announced the decision after President Lee Jae Myung's bilateral summit with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during Lee's state visit to the Middle Eastern country. As the project is currently moving forward with plans to operate a 200-megawatt data center next year, Korea aims to leverage its strengths in energy, batteries, eco-friendly solutions and climate-tech. The initiative is also expected to create significant opportunities for Korean AI startups and data center specialists to expand their presence in the global market, according to Korean officials. In addition to cooperation on the Stargate project, the two countries signed seven memorandums of understanding (MOUs) aimed at strengthening partnerships across advanced industries -- including nuclear technology, AI, bio health, intellectual property and space, such as joint satellite development and satellite navigation infrastructure. "This is my first visit to the Middle East since taking office less than six months ago, and the UAE is the first country I am visiting as a state guest," Lee said during the summit. "Korea is ready for comprehensive cooperation for the next 100 years of partnership between the two nations. We have many areas in common that hold strategic importance, such as national security, defense, AI, nuclear power and health care." Lee highlighted the UAE's status as Korea's only special strategic partner among Middle Eastern and African countries, noting past cooperation in the development of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant and the deployment of the Korean Akh military unit to the nation. He praised the UAE's remarkable development, stating: "Despite being one of the world's top six oil producers, your nation has achieved extraordinary progress not through natural resources but through technology and private-sector innovation." The UAE president emphasized the uniqueness of the strategic partnership. He reaffirmed interest in strengthening collaboration in science and technology, particularly space, AI and defense cooperation. He also spoke highly of the Akh unit's presence, according to the Korean presidential office. Lee began a three-day state visit to the UAE on Monday (local time). According to presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon, as the presidential aircraft entered UAE airspace, four UAE Air Force fighter jets conducted an escort flight on both sides to formally welcome the president. At Abu Dhabi Airport, an official welcoming ceremony was held, featuring an honor guard, traditional performers and senior UAE officials greeting the Korean president and first lady Kim Hea Kyung. Large displays of both nations' flags were installed around key locations including Abu Dhabi Airport, the presidential palace, the Grand Mosque and the presidential residence. In particular, the Korean national flag displayed on the facade of the Ministry of Interior headquarters was the largest ever, according to UAE officials. Major Abu Dhabi landmarks -- such as ADNOC headquarters, Mubadala and ADGM -- were illuminated with the colors of the Korean flag.

South Korea agrees to join UAE's Stargate AI data centre project

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea has agreed to work with the United Arab Emirates on the U.S.-backed Stargate project to build a massive new artificial intelligence data campus in the Gulf country, Seoul said on Tuesday. South Korea said it will help build computing power and energy infrastructure for the world's largest set of AI data centres outside the United States, after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had a summit with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. South Korea, home to chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, aims to become a regional AI hub after President Lee, who took office on June 4, prioritised AI investment to spur growth at a time when U.S. tariffs have clouded the broader economic outlook. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in October signed initial agreements to supply memory chips for OpenAI's Stargate data centres. South Korea will also help build a power grid using nuclear power, gas and renewable energy for the Stargate project, Ha Jung-woo, the presidential secretary on AI, said at a briefing. Under a strategic framework agreement signed on Tuesday, the two countries will deepen cooperation in the field of AI, including AI investment and infrastructure, AI supply chains and AI research and development. Stargate UAE is part of a deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump despite previous U.S. restrictions on sending advanced technology to the UAE because of its close ties to China. The first phase of that project will be the 1-gigawatt Stargate UAE project, built by state-backed UAE firm G42 in partnership with U.S. firms OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia and Cisco Systems, as well as Japan's SoftBank Group. (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Conor Humphries and Ed Davies)