SEOUL, March 11 (Reuters) - South Korea's senior

presidential secretary for AI, Ha Jung-woo, said on Wednesday

that artificial intelligence cooperation with the United Arab

Emirates could accelerate after the Middle East conflict ends,

given the UAE's need to strengthen its defence capabilities.

* "We expect that cooperation (with the UAE) could

accelerate further. Through this process, we believe there will

be many opportunities for us to create together," Ha said at a

press conference.

* "Given the very complex situation currently unfolding

in the Middle East, there is also a growing need for the UAE to

significantly strengthen its defence capabilities," Ha said,

adding that meetings with the UAE have continued despite the

"very difficult environment."

* Last year, South Korea agreed to work with the United

Arab Emirates on the U.S.-backed Stargate project to build a

massive new artificial intelligence data campus in the Gulf

country.

* South Korea said it will help build computing power

and energy infrastructure for the world's largest set of AI data

centres outside the United States, after South Korean President

Lee Jae Myung had a summit with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed

Al Nahyan.

* South Korea has said it will help build a power grid

for the UAE's Stargate project using nuclear power, gas and

renewable energy, while also deepening cooperation in the AI

sector, including in investment, infrastructure, supply chains

and research.

* South Korea, home to chipmakers Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF )

and SK Hynix, aims to become a regional

AI hub as President Lee prioritises AI investment to spur growth

at a time when U.S. tariffs have clouded the broader economic

outlook.