[Unofficial Translation]

Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan,

Rector of King Saud University Professor Badran Al-Omar,

Young Leaders of the Future,

I am delighted to meet all of you here at King Saud University, a royal university and the first university in Saudi Arabia.

It is also a great personal honor to be the first foreign head of state to speak with King Saud University students and faculty.

Today, I would like to share my thoughts with the many young people here about the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea as well as how universities and young people should be at the very forefront of innovation looking to the future.

It has been 61 years since our two countries established diplomatic relations. Yet the history of our bilateral exchanges dates back more than a thousand years.

We began to engage in trade through the so-called Incense Route, and there were also cultural exchanges by sea during Korea’s Silla Dynasty around the 7th and 8th centuries.

Notably during the 10th century, Korea’s Goryeo Dynasty engaged in exchanges with Arabia and many other countries through its port at Byeokrando.

It was during this time that Korea became known around the world as "Coree" or "Corea" by Arabian merchants. I wonder if you are aware that the "Korea" in the official name of our country the "Republic of Korea" came from Arabian merchants. At that time, they were recognized as having the greatest expertise in world geography as they led exchanges between the East and West.

For this reason, the Norman Dynasty commissioned the much respected Arab geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi to create an atlas in 1154. This world map conveys the long history of cooperation and exchanges between Korea and Arabia. While the name "Europe" does not appear at that time, Korea is identified as "Al Silla."

In the early 1950s, about 70 years ago, the Republic of Korea was invaded by communist forces and underwent a truly bloody war. Emerging from that war-induced state of total destruction, we achieved the remarkable economic development referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River."

Such growth by the Republic of Korea was made possible, in part, by our people’s devoted drive for education and our government’s proactive investment in industries. Most of all, however, it may be attributed to close cooperation with the international community.

The special partnership between Korea and Saudi Arabia that was forged in the 1970s through expressway construction and other infrastructure cooperation provided a crucial footing for Korea’s economic advancement.

Korea has now transitioned from an aid-recipient country into an aid donor, providing about US$250 million worth of assistance annually in the education sector alone.

Moreover, Korea is a key player in innovation in cutting-edge technologies such as semiconductors, rechargeable batteries and artificial intelligence.

Saudi Arabia has formulated the "Vision 2030" strategy to prepare for the post-oil era and is pursuing the "NEOM" project – a blueprint for a smart, high-tech city.

In addition, Saudi Arabia is transforming its flagship industries to make them digital, eco-friendly and green.

It remains committed to nurturing the experts and professionals needed.

I am truly impressed by the vision Saudi Arabia has shown by leading these forms of change and innovation.

Students and faculty of King Saud University,

I believe that Korea and Saudi Arabia must now be reborn as first movers who pioneer and spearhead new fields.

Without exception, countries that have achieved rapid growth through innovation have, respecting creativity and diversity, cultivated future talent.

The driving force that creates and realizes change and innovation is none other than you - the young generation. And it is universities which are the means to nurture and cultivate young talent.

The government of the Republic of Korea realized early on the importance of young people in the policy-making process. They are innovative and have neither vested interests nor prejudice. We have therefore assigned young advisors to each ministry and agency, so they can participate as "policy-making partners" as we formulate and review all national policies.

Saudi Arabia, with 63 percent of its population under the age of 30, is a youthful country.

Enterprising Saudi youth actively start businesses and are highly receptive to new culture and technology.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is striving to give the young generation and women a greater role and elevated status in all areas of the economy and society.

All of you here are main players in Saudi Arabia’s future.

Distinguished Students and Faculty,

The bonds of friendship and cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia will deepen further going forward as students and experts from the two countries actively interact with each other and conduct joint research. The future friendship and cooperation between the two countries rests in the hands of the young generation.

I was so pleased to hear about the success of the world’s largest Korean culture festival KCON Saudi Arabia 2023, which was held in Riyadh in early October this year.

I am deeply grateful to the young Saudis who show great interest in and support for K-pop, K-dramas and K-food.

The government of the Republic of Korea will actively assist more young Saudis, so you can visit Korea, learn Korean, experience Korean culture and participate in education and research in various fields.

We will also offer more government scholarships to Saudi students who hope to study at Korean universities.

In addition, we will develop study-abroad programs in Korea in cutting-edge fields of interest to Saudi students like research in biohealth, medical services and renewable energy as well as other programs for strengthening women’s leadership.

Students at King Saud University,

I trust that you will rise to the challenges of the future, embracing even bigger dreams and aspirations.

I’d so much like to see many of you become leaders stepping forward in promoting peace in the region and peace and prosperity around the world.

Moreover, in this era of digital transformation, I hope that many talented individuals will emerge and contribute to digital advancement.

It is my heartfelt aspiration that the youth of Korea and Saudi Arabia will cooperate and move forward together in this process.

There is one thing that I want to emphasize again. Please do not forget that your ancestors, the Arabians, played a leading role in the cultural exchanges between the East and West and indeed greatly contributed to the advancement and prosperity of human civilization.

Thank you.