Introduction

An important new relationship is developing between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and South Korea, one of the most industrialized states of East Asia. The rapidly tightening economic interdependence between the two regions is a recent phenomenon. The hydrocarbon export and import in exchange for hard currency in the mid-20th century has now evolved into a multidimensional and long-term mutual commitment. South Korea’s massive energy needs will also seek to develop strong non-hydrocarbon bilateral trade, investment, and more sophisticated areas of cooperation. In particular, the experienced South Korean construction companies and their technologies have opened new areas of interdependence.

Till recently, this increasingly extensive relationship did not include military and security arrangements. These areas have been exclusively occupied by Western countries led by the United States, Britain, and France. However, the dispatch of South Korean troops to the UAE in 2011 changed the existing order. Furthermore, South Korea and the Gulf have also sought to strengthen their non-economic ties through state-level visits and a considerable number of cooperative agreements. This new environment has undoubtedly enhanced their partnership. Moreover, various attempts, including hydrocarbon safekeeping, civilian nuclear and solar energy projects and the building of a 21st century ‘Silk Road’ between South Korea and the Gulf, signify a shift in the bilateral relations of the two regions. This gives room for optimism that the trajectory of interdependence will continue to accelerate.

Following a brief historical background of relations between the Gulf region and South Korea, this paper will provide an overview of economic cooperation of the two regions. An examination of their contemporary hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon trade links will then be made, before turning to their multidimensional collaboration, focusing on the military involvement of South Korea in the region. Finally, the efforts to boost political and diplomatic relations will be considered, followed by an analysis of the main reasons behind the expansion of new fields of cooperation.

From Hydrocarbon to non-Hydrocarbon Trade

South Korea was a late starter in the history of cooperation with the Gulf, especially in the area of hydrocarbons. South Korea’s major oil companies had not been established until the late 1970s and most of its other trade links to the Gulf also developed during the last 40 years. Nonetheless, during the 1960s and 1970s, South Korea was carefully building the foundations of its present strong relationship with the Gulf. It established diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 1961, Oman in 1974, Qatar in 1974, Bahrain in 1976, Kuwait in 1979, and finally the UAE in 1980.