Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

South Korea has opened the door of new era by expanding opportunities for Saudi students to come and study the Korean language, experience the culture and participate in education and research in various fields, including the bio and medical fields, renewable energies and female leadership that will deepen friendly cooperative relationship between Korea and Saudi Arabia.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol promised to expand scholarship opportunities for Saudi students wishing to study in Korea by addressing some 2,000 students, faculty and government officials at King Saud University in Riyadh on Monday.

"We will expand government scholarship support for Saudi students who wish to study at Korean universities," said president Yoon.  

Yoon emphasized that “Saudi Arabia must become a "pioneer" that leads in new fields and that the driving force behind creating and implementing such changes and innovations is the youth and the future generation.”

Yoon by appreciating Saudi Arabia’s "Vision 2030" and NEOM mega city project as national strategies for the post-oil era, stressed that he "respects Saudi Arabia's vision of leading such change and innovation."
 
He said, “the role of youth in both states as agents of such change and innovation in the digital era and encouraged young people to contribute to peace and common development in the international community.”

 
He highlighted the provision of some 300 billion won ($220 million) in education aid this year by the South Korean government with a motif to lead development and innovation in high-tech fields such as semi-conductors, rechargeable batteries and artificial intelligence.

President Yoon also talked about the popularity of Korean content around the world and thanked Saudi youthfor their "interest in K-pop, K-drama and K-food."  
 
He also dealt with the Q-A session with the student participants interested to develop Korea-Saudi exchanges and cooperation.

"Universities are very important to the development of a country," Yoon said. "On behalf of the government, I will support close exchanges and cooperation between Saudi universities, including King Saudi University, and Korean universities."

South Korea and Saudi Arabia special cooperative bond was established in the 1970 s through infrastructure cooperation such as highway construction that has become an important stepping stone for Korea's economic development," Yoon said.  

South Korean president Yoon is on four-day state visit to Saudi Arabia included a bilateral summit and economy-related events that will also lead two days visit to Qatar from 21~26 October 2023