Analysis
Saudi Arabian megaproject promises windfall for South Korea but carries risks
Yoon has shown few qualms about economic cooperation with Middle Eastern state despite seeking to boost human rights
For South Korean government officials and businesses, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit last week was like an early Christmas — and not simply because he booked 400 rooms at Lotte Hotel Seoul for two weeks for his entourage, including a $16,449-per-night suite for himself.
The visit marked bin Salman’s first to South Korea since 2019, and President Yoon Suk-yeol’s top priority was to seek greater cooperation between Seoul and Riyadh, including Saudia Arabia’s futuristic $500 billion desert city megaproject Neom.
Get the Daily Briefing
Start your day with
the South Korea stories that matter most –
as selected by 
