Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's recent visit to Seoul was brief, lasting little more than a day. Yet, its significance extends far beyond the schedule itself. His meetings with Korean officials and his keynote address at Korea University should not be viewed as routine diplomatic engagements. Rather, they represent an important step in preparing the next phase of South Korea-Türkiye relations at a time when both countries face rapidly changing regional and global environments.
The visit comes at a particularly important moment. Since the summit meeting between President Lee Jae-myung and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last November, both governments have explored a wide range of new cooperative initiatives. Discussions have expanded beyond traditional trade relations to include defense industries, energy security, supply chains, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Among these issues, cooperation in the energy sector deserves particular attention. Türkiye's planned Sinop Nuclear Power Plant project has generated sustained consultations between Turkish authorities and Korean institutions. Numerous technical feasibility discussions and working-level consultations have already taken place. Similar momentum is evident in defense cooperation, where both countries possess complementary industrial capabilities and strategic interests.
