Erdoğan begins South Korea visit, eyes new partnerships

Erdoğan’s main purpose is to deepen economic cooperation between Türkiye and South Korea. Nuclear power is the central focus, especially the possible partnership on Türkiye’s planned Sinop station. The visit also covers trade, investment, defense, and advanced industries.

Erdoğan arrived in Seoul with ministers covering foreign affairs, energy, defense, industry, justice, and defense industries. He said South Korea could become a partner for Sinop. Türkiye has been studying the project’s technical and economic terms with Korea Electric Power Corp.

The visit could shape a major future energy project and broader industrial ties. Erdoğan said the countries are working toward $15 billion in bilateral trade. He also invited South Korean companies to join transport and logistics projects connecting Asia and Europe, while asking for more investment and joint production in Türkiye.

A nuclear power station generates electricity by using heat from controlled nuclear fission. That heat produces steam, and the steam drives equipment that generates electricity. Nuclear plants can provide large-scale power, so Sinop matters to Türkiye’s long-term energy plans.

South Korea is being considered as a partner because Türkiye is already studying the Black Sea project with state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. Erdoğan said Ankara is examining the project’s technical and economic terms. This gives the two countries a basis for evaluating possible cooperation.

No final partner has been chosen. Türkiye will compare financing, electricity costs, and benefits to its economy before deciding. South Korean participation therefore depends not only on technical capability, but also on whether the project offers acceptable costs and wider economic value for Türkiye.

Türkiye and South Korea are working toward a bilateral trade target of $15 billion. This figure represents the value of goods and services exchanged between the two countries. It gives their economic relationship a clear shared ambition.

Erdoğan raised the target during his interview with Yonhap News Agency. He also called for action on an imbalance in South Korea’s favor. That means the trade relationship does not currently benefit both sides equally, according to Erdoğan’s assessment.

Reaching the target would require more than simply increasing existing sales. Erdoğan called for greater South Korean investment and joint production in Türkiye. He also invited South Korean companies to participate in transport and logistics projects linking Asia and Europe. These efforts could expand trade while broadening the relationship beyond imports and exports.

If South Korea helps build Sinop, Türkiye could gain additional nuclear-generated electricity from a major Black Sea energy project. That could strengthen the country’s future energy supply. The article does not state how much electricity the plant would produce, so the exact impact cannot yet be measured.

The economic mechanism would include financing, construction, technology cooperation, and possible local business activity. Erdoğan said Türkiye will examine electricity costs and the project’s benefits to the Turkish economy. These factors will help Ankara judge whether South Korean participation offers good value.

The outcome remains undecided. Türkiye is studying technical and economic terms with Korea Electric Power Corp before selecting a partner. If the terms are favorable, cooperation could support energy development and broader South Korean investment. If costs or financing are unsuitable, Türkiye could choose another arrangement.

Several industries could benefit from stronger Türkiye–South Korea cooperation besides nuclear power. Erdoğan specifically identified defense, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and robotics. These sectors involve advanced technology, manufacturing, and national infrastructure.

The proposed mechanism is cooperation rather than only one-way trade. Erdoğan called for more South Korean investment and joint production in Türkiye. He also invited South Korean companies to participate in Turkish transport and logistics projects linking Asia and Europe. Such projects could connect industrial capabilities with Türkiye’s geographic position.

The article does not identify specific companies or signed projects in these sectors. It presents them as potential areas for cooperation during Erdoğan’s visit. Progress will depend on future investment decisions and agreements. If cooperation develops, the relationship could become broader than the planned Sinop partnership and the existing trade relationship.

Türkiye may seek investment and joint production so economic cooperation creates activity inside the country. Buying foreign goods and technology can support trade, but it does not necessarily build local production. Joint production could connect South Korean capabilities with Turkish factories, workers, suppliers, and projects.

This approach also relates to the trade imbalance Erdoğan mentioned. He called for efforts to address a relationship that favors South Korea. Encouraging South Korean companies to invest in Türkiye could help expand Turkish participation in the partnership, rather than leaving trade centered on imported products.

Erdoğan’s request is part of a broader strategy. He invited South Korean companies into Turkish transport and logistics projects connecting Asia and Europe. The article does not state how many jobs or factories would result. It does show that Türkiye wants investment and production to accompany its push toward $15 billion in bilateral trade.

Nuclear fission generates electricity by splitting heavy atomic nuclei in a controlled reaction. The split releases heat. That heat turns water into steam, and the steam drives turbines connected to generators. The process can produce large amounts of electricity, but it requires tightly managed engineering and regulation.

Nuclear plants demand major financing because they involve complex facilities, specialized equipment, large construction programs, and long development periods. Investors and governments must also plan for operating costs, electricity prices, maintenance, and eventual long-term responsibilities. These commitments make early decisions especially important.

The article shows Türkiye applying this wider evaluation to Sinop. Ankara is studying technical and economic terms with Korea Electric Power Corp. Erdoğan said Türkiye will weigh financing, electricity costs, and benefits to the Turkish economy before choosing a partner. The plant’s future therefore depends on both engineering feasibility and financial value.