Early contact can be traced back to antiquity, when the Göktürks had supported ancient Goguryeo, a Korean kingdom, during their expansion and also assisted them against Tang Chinese forces.

[2][3][4] Göktürk soldiers assisted Goguryeo in many battles, including in the war against Silla, another Korean kingdom, and Tang China; this alliance went on extended to the Balhae as well.

[9] Based on those mutual gestures and acts of ancient friendship, the relationship between the two nations is often referred as "Korean–Turkish brotherhood" (Turkish: Kore–Türk kardeşliği; Korean: 한국 – 터키 우정).

[10] Participation of Turkish troops in the Korean War (June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953) led to the formation of an alliance between South Korea and Turkey.

The same year Samsung Electronics collaborated with Tatış Holding and manufactured color TV's and video cassette players at a factory in İzmir.

Korean firms lead several Turkish defense programs including the manufacturing of the T-155 Fırtına howitzers and a main battle tank, and training aircraft worth billions of dollars.