Story perspectives

South Korea and Kazakhstan sign nuclear cooperation memorandum

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

South Korea partners Kazakhstan

South Korea and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding on peaceful nuclear energy use.
Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed 13 science and technology agreements.
Kazakhstan invited Korean firms to develop the $6.9 billion Alatau City smart-city project.
Hyundai Motor Group and Kia pledged to expand vehicle production and localize parts in Kazakhstan.
South Korea added Kazakhstan to its Employment Permit System, allowing worker applications from 2028.

Summary

Tokayev proposes AI

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed a BRICS Plus Partnership in Artificial Intelligence.
Kazakhstan’s trade with BRICS members reached about $72 billion in 2025.
Kazakhstan aims to raise annual transit cargo from 40 million to 100 million tons.
Tokayev urged BRICS states to back Kazakhstan’s proposal for a new UN International Water Organization.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met Tokayev at the New Delhi BRICS Summit to discuss digital, trade and defense ties.

History

Historical Context

After declaring independence on 16 December 1991, Kazakhstan inherited roughly 1,400 Soviet warheads and, by 1996, dismantled them following NPT accession (ratified 13 December 1993). It then championed non-proliferation, joining the TPNW and hosting the IAEA low-enriched uranium bank. In a 2024 memorandum, Lee Jae-myung and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expanded Korean nuclear technology cooperation and a $6.9 billion smart-city project.

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South Korea partners Kazakhstan

South Korea and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding on peaceful nuclear energy use.
Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed 13 science and technology agreements.
Kazakhstan invited Korean firms to develop the $6.9 billion Alatau City smart-city project.
Hyundai Motor Group and Kia pledged to expand vehicle production and localize parts in Kazakhstan.
South Korea added Kazakhstan to its Employment Permit System, allowing worker applications from 2028.

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