“(President Yoon Seok-yeol) I hope that next time you come, we can ride together in the ‘Hyundai electric car’ produced in Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman made this remark while driving President Yoon Seok-yeol in his Mercedes-Benz car on the 24th (local time), according to Presidential Office Spokesperson Lee Do-woon. As a result of economic measures such as the bilateral meeting, Hyundai Motor Group has decided to build the Middle East’s first automobile semi-finished product (CKD) plant in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City, which is interpreted as an intention to deepen cooperation and achieve results quickly.
This afternoon, Crown Prince Muhammad made a surprise visit to President Yoon’s guesthouse and chatted alone for about 23 minutes. After an unscheduled conversation, President Yoon got into the seat next to Crown Prince Mohammed’s Mercedes-Benz car and traveled together for 15 minutes to the Future Investment Initiative Forum (FII) event held that afternoon. At this event, Crown Prince Muhammad again mentioned ‘electric vehicles produced in Saudi Arabia by Hyundai Motor Group.’
When President Yoon and Crown Prince Mohammed appeared at the event, the audience cheered with applause and even filmed the two with their cell phones. The fact that he personally visited the head of the country where he was invited as a state guest, had a private chat, and then appeared together in public was evaluated as “an unprecedented welcome.”
President Yoon arrived at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, on Air Force Unit 1 this afternoon. President Yoon attended the opening ceremony of the Korean pavilion at the Doha International Horticultural Expo. President Yoon continues his Middle East sales diplomacy by holding an official welcome ceremony, summit meeting, and state luncheon with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the 25th.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.