South Korea to open consulate in Dubai

A Staff Reporter

Filed on February 26, 2008

DUBAI — South Korea will open a consulate in Dubai next month to serve its 2,000 strong population of citizens in the city as well as its tourists.

Making the announcement yesterday, the Republic of Korea Consul-General to Dubai, Kyu-ock Park, said the consulate’s priority was to expand the bilateral relations with the UAE initiated after visits by leaders of the two countries in recent years, including the visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the country in May 2007.

“I’ll do my best to expand the bilateral relations,” Park said.

“The priorities are trade, economy and tourism,” he said.

Park said South Korea recognised Dubai as an important base.

Ninety Korean companies were working in the UAE, with businessmen making up a majority of the 2,500 citizens, including 2,000 in Dubai.

South Korean embassy has been established in Abu Dhabi for many years and the Korean Tourism Organisation has recently had a presence with an office at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

South Korean tourists to the UAE are a strong sector with more than 50,000 visiting annually and the trend increasing rapidly, according to Park.

Park said a two-way flow of tourists was expected to continue growing and the consulate would handle all general enquiries, including passport and entry visas.

A small ceremony will mark the consulate’s official opening on March 12.