On September 14 in Seoul, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea. The leaders discussed the further development and deepening of the Uzbek-Korean strategic partnership.
Mirziyoyev emphasized that over the years, the Republic of Korea has become a reliable friend and one of Uzbekistan’s most important economic partners. The leaders noted the growth in trade and investment. More than 700 joint ventures with Korean capital operate in Uzbekistan.
In cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korea Eximbank, and the EDCF Fund, dozens of projects are being implemented in medicine and healthcare, industry, ICT, agriculture and water management, energy, infrastructure, and education.
Mirziyoyev outlined five priority areas for further expanding economic cooperation with the Republic of Korea. These include deepening trade ties, increasing investment, and developing cooperation in critical minerals, transport, and infrastructure.
As part of the visit, the investment portfolio is taking on a new scale: promising projects worth approximately $12 billion have been prepared. A partnership program with the Korea Eximbank has been adopted.
The parties paid particular attention to building a strong innovation and technology alliance based on advanced Korean technologies and the resource and industrial potential of New Uzbekistan.
Mirziyoyev emphasized that “the large Korean diaspora is an integral part of Uzbekistan’s multinational family and serves as a ‘spiritual bridge’ between our countries and peoples.”
To further develop these humanitarian ties, the parties agreed to declare 2027 the “Year of Culture and Mutual Exchanges” and hold joint cultural and humanitarian events.
Also on September 14, Seoul hosted the first meeting of the industry ministers of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea. The meeting was attended by Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan; Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources of the Republic of Korea; and heads of relevant government agencies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
The meeting took place ahead of the first Central Asia – Republic of Korea Summit. The new ministerial format is intended to complement the political dialogue with a practical agenda in industry, trade and technology, while strengthening ties between enterprises across the region and Korean businesses.
In 2025, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea exceeded USD 10 billion, increasing by nearly 10 percent. In January-July of this year, the figure reached USD 6.5 billion, representing growth of 25 percent. These figures provide a solid basis for shifting the focus from mutual supplies toward establishing production facilities, expanding localization and developing regional value chains.
Following the meeting, a joint memorandum on cooperation in industry and supply chains was signed.
Kudratov also held talks with Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources of the Republic of Korea. Agreements were signed on establishing an Uzbekistan-Korea platform for the exploration and development of strategically important mineral resources, as well as on enhancing export potential and trade cooperation.
Photo: president.uz
