By Yoon Sojung

President Moon Jae-in on Sept. 18 expressed his administration's willingness to help Saudi Arabia rebuild its oil facilities that were damaged by a drone attack.

In a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman earlier that day, he said, "It is deeply regrettable that oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais in eastern Saudi Arabia were badly damaged by drone attacks," adding, "I would like to extend my sympathy to the Saudi Arabian crown prince and the Saudi Arabian people."

Blasting the attack as a "threat to the security of Korea as well as the whole world," President Moon said, "The international community should respond to such an attack in a determined manner."

"Korea wishes a speedy recovery of the destroyed facilities, and we are willing to work together in the recovery process."

The Saudi crown prince expressed his gratitude to President Moon for criticizing the latest attack, emphasizing the role of the international community. Bin Salman also urged his country's allies to make joint responses through cooperation and requested Seoul's help in Riyadh's plan to create an air defense system to prevent such an attack, something that President Moon agreed to work closely together on.

Both leaders also lauded the bolstering of bilateral cooperation in sectors such as construction, infrastructure, national defense and the defense industry since their summit in June this year in Seoul.

***