Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung extended his gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan for assisting in the evacuation of South Koreans from Iran amid the U.S.-Iran conflict earlier this year. The expression of thanks occurred during a summit at Cheong Wa Dae, coinciding with the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit scheduled for Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee acknowledged the pivotal role Turkmenistan played in ensuring the safe passage of over 30 South Koreans and their families from Iran. This evacuation took place via a land route to Turkmenistan in March, following the outbreak of a war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in late February.

President Lee highlighted the act of support as a testament to the strong trust and friendship between South Korea and Turkmenistan. He also emphasized the foundation for substantive cooperation established since the two nations formed a mutually beneficial partnership in 2008. Lee expressed optimism for future collaboration, pointing out Turkmenistan's abundant natural resources and strategic location in Central Asia.

President Berdimuhamedow reciprocated the sentiments of cooperation, acknowledging South Korea's support for Turkmenistan's international initiatives. He affirmed Turkmenistan's support for South Korea's stance on critical international issues, including President Lee's North Korea initiative, known as Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization (END).

Berdimuhamedow reiterated Turkmenistan's commitment to resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy. In a gesture of strengthened ties, the two countries signed 13 bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding, focusing on investment promotion, infrastructure projects, and collaborative efforts against transnational organized crimes.