President Lee Jae-myung said on the 20th (local time) in an op-ed for Egypt's state-run newspaper Al Ahram, "We must not leave unaddressed the current situation in which inter-Korean dialogue is cut off and the North's nuclear capability is becoming more advanced," adding, "We plan to pursue the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula with practical, step-by-step solutions."
Marking his official visit to Egypt for three days from the 19th, the president laid out this vision in a contribution to the press titled "Korea and Egypt: 30 years together and the future we will build together."
The president said, "The basic foundation of all the futures that Korea and Egypt will build is 'peace,'" explaining, "Egypt, over the past two years amid the Gaza situation, showed diplomatic patience as a mediator that did not give up on dialogue, and the Republic of Korea has continued its journey for peace in Northeast Asia and on the Korean Peninsula for more than 70 years."
The president said, "I hold a firm belief that we must open a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula," stressing, "To that end, we will gradually expand inter-Korean exchanges starting from feasible areas and actively support efforts to normalize relations between (North Korea and) the international community."
He also asked for Egypt's support in this process. The president said, "Korea and Egypt both know all too well that regional peace is difficult to achieve through the efforts of a single nation," adding, "I hope the scope of 'peace cooperation' between Korea, which has consistently joined international efforts for Middle East peace, and Egypt, which has consistently supported peace on the Korean Peninsula, can broaden further going forward."
The president cited commonalities between the two countries and said economic and cultural cooperation should be expanded. He recalled, "Korea and Egypt both have a proud history of blossoming brilliant civilizations with indomitable will under the geopolitical destiny of being a bridge of continents, cultures, and trade," adding, "Egypt meticulously recorded the Nile's flooding on papyrus and built one of the greatest civilizations in human history, and Korea also developed the nation centered on the Han River."
The president also stressed that Korean corporations are contributing to building Egypt's manufacturing base by operating production plants in the country. "In the Samsung plant in Beni Suef Province and the LG plant in Sharqia Province, TVs, washing machines, and the latest smartphones are being produced," he said, adding, "At the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)-founded Korea-Egypt Technology University, Egyptian youth are independently learning technologies in key industries such as machinery, electricity, and automobiles, increasing their opportunities for growth and nurturing their dreams and hopes."
In the cultural field, he said, "I hear that in Egypt, talk of Korean music and drama is in full bloom. I am deeply moved that it has captivated Egypt, a nation with an ancient history and culture." He added, "Because I was so thirsty for learning that I walked four hours round trip in elementary school, I know well the power of education," noting that exchange should also be expanded in the education sector.
Finally, the president said, "I can say with confidence that the most reliable partner for Egypt's ambitious 'Vision 2030' is the Republic of Korea," pledging, "Korea, which achieved the 'Miracle on the Han River,' will join the grand journey of the Egyptian people who achieved the 'Miracle on the Nile.'"