Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, expressing a desire to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership between South Korea and Uzbekistan for mutual prosperity. The meeting preceded the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit, scheduled to take place in Seoul, which will engage leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan in discussions on regional cooperation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Mirziyoyev was the first Central Asian leader to meet with Lee ahead of the multilateral summit, marking a significant step in reinforcing ties. President Lee emphasized the strong cooperative relationship established since 1992, noting that Uzbekistan is the only Central Asian country with which South Korea has a special strategic partnership. He described Uzbekistan as a "precious friend and a key partner," expressing hope for further development of their partnership towards mutual prosperity and peace.
The discussions highlighted potential areas for collaboration, including traffic, infrastructure, healthcare, critical mineral supply chains, AI, and the defense industry. President Lee pointed out the important roles both nations could play in addressing global security uncertainties, which could help ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula. President Mirziyoyev acknowledged the shared sentiments and traditions between the peoples of South Korea and Uzbekistan, reinforcing the notion of a common bond based on public well-being.
Mirziyoyev also emphasized the consistent bilateral ties that have withstood political changes, expressing optimism that his visit would invigorate their strategic partnership. In a subsequent press release, South Korean presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung revealed that both leaders agreed to fortify cooperation in transportation, logistics, and the defense sectors, with an aim to facilitate South Korean companies' participation in Uzbek infrastructure projects.
The summit concluded with the signing of 13 MOUs and agreements to enhance governmental cooperation in various sectors, including critical minerals, food, and transportation. A notable MOU between the Export-Import Bank of Korea and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade aims to secure business opportunities in strategic industries such as critical minerals, data centers, smart cities, and biotechnology. Additional agreements focus on expanding tourism cooperation, transferring Korean agricultural technology, and aligning medical product regulations.