(Yonhap Interview) Erdogan seeks stronger S. Korea partnership in energy, tech, logistics amid global uncertainties

Turkey is seeking a stronger, wider partnership with South Korea as global energy markets and trade routes face uncertainty. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants cooperation to move beyond existing ties and produce practical projects, investment, and business opportunities. He also wants a more balanced economic relationship.

The proposed areas include nuclear energy, defense, semiconductors, robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, transport, and logistics. Erdogan highlighted South Korea's technology and innovation, alongside Turkey's manufacturing base, skilled workers, and location between Asia and Europe. Existing examples include Hyundai Motor Group's Turkish operations and POSCO's steel investments.

The partnership is still developing. South Korea is being considered for Turkey's Sinop nuclear plant, while Korean companies are invited to join transport projects and expand production partnerships. Erdogan specifically welcomed South Korean interest in Turkey's PD170 turbodiesel engine and called for cooperation in unmanned aircraft, engines, and electronic systems.

The Sinop nuclear power plant is Turkey's planned second nuclear facility. It would be built at Sinop on the country's Black Sea coast. The project matters because Turkey is assessing another major source of electricity while seeking international cooperation on technology, financing, licensing, and construction.

South Korea is being considered as a possible collaborator because Turkey values Korean experience in nuclear energy. Seoul and Ankara signed a memorandum covering reactor technology, site assessment, licensing, financing, and business models. Turkey has also carried out extensive preliminary feasibility studies with Korea Electric Power Corp., or KEPCO.

South Korea's participation is not final. Turkey continues to examine technical and economic conditions and is also considering contacts with other countries. The final choice will reflect national interests, including generation costs, financing arrangements, and benefits for Turkey's economy.

Trade between Turkey and South Korea is heavily tilted toward South Korea. In 2025, Turkey exported about US$1.14 billion worth of goods, while it imported $10.26 billion. That means imports were about nine times larger than exports, showing why Erdogan called the imbalance significant.

The two countries have set a future bilateral trade target of $15 billion. Turkey wants progress toward that figure to include more than larger sales totals. Erdogan said both sides should develop a more balanced trade structure, expand investment, and cooperate more closely in production.

The target connects trade with the wider partnership. Turkish officials want Korean companies to invest in manufacturing, transport, logistics, and technology projects in Turkey. Joint production could help increase Turkish exports while giving Korean firms access to Turkey's manufacturing infrastructure and strategic location. The article does not state a deadline for reaching $15 billion.

South Korea is a serious potential partner for Sinop, but Turkey has not made a final decision. Ankara is examining whether the project is technically workable and economically worthwhile. This matters because a nuclear plant requires a long-term arrangement covering technology, construction, financing, licensing, and business responsibilities.

Turkey has already worked with KEPCO on extensive preliminary feasibility studies. It is evaluating reactor technology, the site, licensing requirements, financing arrangements, business models, power generation costs, and possible benefits for the Turkish economy. These factors form the practical basis for choosing a partner.

Erdogan also said Turkey is considering contacts with other countries and examining all possible choices in light of national interests. South Korea's nuclear experience gives it an important position, but participation remains conditional. The next step is continued evaluation and negotiation before Ankara decides whether Korean cooperation best fits the project's technical and economic needs.

The Strait of Hormuz is part of the broader risk Erdogan identified for global energy markets and trade routes. The article does not describe a specific disruption there, but it says the current crisis has demonstrated the importance of reliable alternative routes. Instability therefore strengthens the case for diversifying transport connections.

Turkey wants greater South Korean participation in regional transport and logistics investments. Its strategy includes expanding links between Asia and Europe and reviving the historic Hejaz Railway. These projects could give trade additional pathways instead of relying so heavily on routes exposed to geopolitical risk. Turkey says it is ready to support Korean companies that invest.

For Korea, the opportunity combines infrastructure investment with Turkey's strategic location and manufacturing base. The article presents this as a response to uncertainty, not as a completed solution. Cooperation would depend on Korean companies choosing to invest and on Turkey's plans becoming tangible transport and logistics projects.

Turkey is trying to strengthen transport and logistics links connecting Asia and Europe. Erdogan pointed to efforts to expand these connections and plans to revive the historic Hejaz Railway. The goal is to develop reliable alternative routes as global energy markets and trade routes face serious risks.

The mechanism is investment in infrastructure that can connect regions through Turkey. Erdogan invited Korean companies to participate in regional transport and logistics projects. He said Ankara was ready to support Korean firms seeking to invest, creating an official opening for deeper commercial involvement.

Korean companies may find the projects attractive because Turkey combines a strategic location with manufacturing strength and an established relationship with Korean investors. Hyundai and POSCO already operate in Turkey, providing examples of bilateral business cooperation. The article does not identify specific Korean logistics investors or confirm that any company has committed to the proposed routes.

The article shows how energy, industry, and investment can reinforce one another. A nuclear project brings cooperation in reactor technology, financing, licensing, and long-term business planning. Advanced manufacturing adds semiconductors, robotics, artificial intelligence, engines, and electronic systems. Together, these areas can create a broader economic relationship rather than a single project.

The proposed mechanism is partnership between complementary strengths. South Korea offers experience in nuclear energy, technology, and innovation. Turkey offers manufacturing infrastructure, skilled workers, and a strategic location. Joint production, technology development, and investment can connect those strengths, while transport links help companies operate across regional markets.

The article presents this as a goal, not a guaranteed outcome. Sinop remains under evaluation, and trade is currently unbalanced. Still, the planned nuclear cooperation, defense projects, Korean investment, and logistics links could support Turkey's energy and economic ambitions if negotiations produce concrete initiatives.