As military tensions between the United States and Iran rise and global economic uncertainty grows, Türkiye emphasized the potential to expand cooperation with Korea as an energy and logistics hub.
Ambassador Murat Tamer of Türkiye to Korea said at a press briefing on "Türkiye's economic outlook and investment opportunities" held at the Turkish Embassy on the 21st, "Today's international environment goes beyond the conventional notion of crisis," adding, "The conflict in the Middle East is not a simple regional dispute but a turning point that directly affects global energy security and the trade order."
Ambassador Tamer particularly stressed the vulnerabilities in the global economy revealed by the recent war. He said, "Disruptions in energy supply chains, transportation issues, and upward price pressures show how fragile the global economy is," adding, "Supply chain breakdowns, the weakening of international norms, and reduced predictability are happening at the same time." In this situation, Tamer said Türkiye's geopolitical role stands out. Located at a strategic crossroads linking Europe and the Middle East, Türkiye has built capacity as a "crisis management country" based on its energy and logistics networks.
Tamer said, "Türkiye contributes to easing tensions through diplomacy that does not lean toward a particular camp and maintains communication with all parties," adding, "It is not a mere observer but a trusted mediator." In fact, through major gas pipelines such as TurkStream, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, and storage facilities, Türkiye has established itself as an energy hub linking Europe and the Middle East. Tamer said, "Korea, which has a high dependence on energy imports, and Türkiye have a complementary structure," adding, "There is significant potential for cooperation in a range of fields including LNG, renewable energy, and nuclear power."
Tourism and trade are also steadily expanding. About 226,000 Koreans visited Türkiye last year, and the two countries' trade volume has exceeded $10 billion (about 15 trillion won) in recent years. Investments by Korean corporations are also increasing, centered on energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
Commercial Counselor Özlem Üntez, who attended the briefing, also said, "Türkiye has a stable trade structure that reduces dependence on specific regions through market diversification," adding, "Based on strengths in services trade, construction, and tourism, opportunities for Korean corporations to jointly enter third countries will also expand."
Tamer emphasized, "Türkiye is a country that offers stability and predictability in an era of greater uncertainty," adding, "It will be a trusted strategic partner for Korean corporations."