Lim Moon-young (임문영), vice chair of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy Committee, held a series of meetings in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, with key local figures and moved to flesh out a Korea-UAE "AI and digital future alliance."

After attending the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai, Lim traveled to Abu Dhabi on the 5th. He met senior officials from AI-focused investment firm MGX and the Ministry of Government Enablement (DGE) and discussed key cooperation items such as sovereign AI, public-sector AX and smart logistics.

The move is a follow-up step aimed at turning into tangible results the "Korea-UAE special strategic partnership" that was strengthened by President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to the UAE in November and Abu Dhabi Executive Office Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak's visit to South Korea in January.

On the afternoon of the 5th, Lim met MGX Chief Strategy Officer David Scott and discussed ways to build a sovereign AI ecosystem led by the two countries.

At the meeting, Lim stressed the need to accelerate discussions on five AI working groups covering AI infrastructure and semiconductors, energy mix and power grids, physical AI and port logistics, healthcare, and responsible AI, as well as a recently added working group on space cooperation. The two sides agreed to swiftly pursue mutual visits by an "AI investment delegation" to directly verify the technological capabilities of South Korean AI companies.

Lim then visited the "TAMM Factory," Abu Dhabi's public-service innovation hub, and met DGE Chairman Ahmed Tameem Al Kuttab. The two sides shared the view that the ultimate goal of public-sector AX is a shift to an "AI-native government" that provides precise, high-quality administrative services based on AI.

Lim also held a dinner meeting with officials from South Korean companies and public institutions in the UAE, as well as representatives from AI and space-related firms accompanying this UAE trip. On the final day of the visit, the 6th, he will inspect Khalifa Port and agreed to communicate to identify joint projects centered on South Korea-style smart-port operations and automation technology.

Lim said the trip provided an opportunity to establish a framework for practical cooperation in the Korea-UAE AI and space alliance, ranging from sovereign AI to public-service innovation and smart logistics. He added he will push follow-up measures at speed so that South Korean companies can grow into leading players in global future industries.