The UAE and South Korea are set to develop a dedicated ‘K-City’ in the Emirates following a meeting between the two countries’ presidents, officials confirmed. This project is part of a wide range of new bilateral collaborations and will serve as a central hub for Korean culture, cuisine, business, and lifestyle in the UAE. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative aims to position the UAE as the main Middle Eastern centre for cultural engagement with South Korea, building on existing groundwork between the two nations. Earlier this month, Dubai hosted the largest K-content expo ever held in the region, featuring participation from government bodies and private sector representatives. The event highlighted the growing appeal of Korean culture in the UAE, where the Korean wave, or Hallyu, has garnered strong interest, particularly among younger audiences. K-pop concerts, fan events, and K-drama screenings routinely draw large crowds in the Emirates, while Korean restaurants, pop-ups, and beauty brands continue to expand across the local market. Officials said the K-City project reflects both countries’ commitment to strengthening “active people-to-people exchanges,” with more initiatives expected in the coming years, an encouraging sign for Korea’s enthusiastic fan base in the UAE.
