Seoul: Kazakhstan is aiming to broaden its economic collaborations with South Korea to include sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and critical minerals, moving beyond their existing partnerships in the automotive industry. Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi shared these insights in a written interview with Yonhap News Agency ahead of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to South Korea for the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the summit, scheduled to convene on Wednesday in Seoul, will unite leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The focus will be on cooperation in critical areas such as minerals, energy, and supply chain diversification. Minister Tileuberdi emphasized the importance of the visit, noting the solid economic and investment foundation already in place between Kazakhstan and South Korea, and the potential to elevate their cooperation.
Tileuberdi highlighted the complementary strengths of Korea and Central Asia, with Korea's advanced technologies and industrial expertise aligning with Central Asia's natural resources and strategic geographic position. Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and South Korea reached US$3.17 billion in 2025, supported by the operations of numerous South Korean companies in Kazakhstan, including Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp., Samsung Electronics Co., and Doosan.
Kazakhstan sees its successful collaboration in the automotive industry as a blueprint for broader industrial cooperation. Currently, 46 industrial projects valued at around $4 billion are in progress, covering sectors such as automobile production, engineering, and electronics. Tileuberdi expressed interest in leveraging Korean technology and investment to boost local production and develop skilled personnel in Kazakhstan.
The minister identified AI and data infrastructure as promising areas for new joint ventures, with Kazakhstan's expanding data center capacity presenting opportunities for Korean firms in data centers and power infrastructure. Additionally, Kazakhstan's vast reserves of critical minerals, including uranium and copper, position it as a key partner for South Korea in high-tech industries like batteries and electronics.
Tileuberdi also pointed out Kazakhstan's advantageous geographic location, which serves as a crucial link between Asia and Europe, enhancing its value for Korean companies seeking to diversify their supply chains. He stressed that the summit's success should be measured by concrete projects and practical outcomes rather than broad goals.
Emphasizing the deep-rooted human ties between the two nations, Tileuberdi noted the longstanding contributions of Koreans in Kazakhstan to science, culture, and business. The upcoming 90th anniversary of the relocation of Koreans to Central Asia in 1937 underscores this historical connection, further strengthened by the legacy of Korean independence fighter Hong Beom-do.
Reflecting on the progress in bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992 and their upgrade to a strategic partnership in 2009, Tileuberdi expressed personal gratification, having studied and worked in South Korea during his diplomatic career.