Seoul: South Korea is set to host its first-ever summit with Central Asian countries on September 16-17, as announced by the foreign ministry on Thursday. This event represents a strategic move to deepen diplomatic ties with the region.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the summit will involve discussions between South Korea and five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun emphasized the significance of this meeting during a preparatory session, highlighting its role in advancing South Korea's diplomatic efforts through the "New Northern Policy."

The New Northern Policy, introduced by the former Moon Jae-in administration, aims to foster collaboration with Central Asian countries under a framework of peace and shared prosperity in Eurasia. Cho stated that the summit will strengthen cooperation with these nations and facilitate collaboration in areas such as supply chain diversification. Additionally, the summit will address issues concerning ethnic Korean communities in the region.