Full Breakdown
Korea–Central Asia Summit Launches 30-Year Cooperation Framework
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Core Event: First Korea–Central Asia Heads-of-State Summit in Seoul
On September 16, 2026, South Korea and the five Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan—held their inaugural heads-of-state summit in Seoul. Leaders adopted a 30-year framework covering critical minerals, energy, supply-chain resilience and emerging technologies, and created a biennial summit and a regular industry-minister mechanism.
Background & Context
The partnership builds on dialogue that began at the vice-ministerial level in 2007 and was later elevated. Participants invoked the historic Silk Road as a model for linking East and West through shared technology and culture. South Korea seeks diversified sources for semiconductors, batteries and EV components, while Central Asian governments aim to attract technology, investment and a larger role in manufacturing derived from their mineral resources.
Data & Statistics
- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev set a $20 billion (€17.3 billion) trade target by 2030.
- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted Kazakhstan holds all ten minerals classified by South Korea as strategic and that the combined GDP of the Central Asian states is nearly $550 billion with annual growth over 6 %.
- Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and South Korea exceeded $3 billion last year; Korean firms have invested more than $12 billion in Kazakhstan, operating over 1,000 companies.
- The joint industrial portfolio includes 51 projects worth over $4 billion, spanning automotive manufacturing, machinery and metallurgy.
- The business summit signed 19 memorandums of understanding covering critical minerals, industry, infrastructure and digital technologies.
- Freight volumes on the Middle Corridor—a key logistics route linking Korea, Central Asia and Europe—have increased fivefold over six years.
Official Statements & Responses
- President Lee Jae-myung framed the summit as a revival of the “Silk Road spirit,” stressing “mutually beneficial value chains.”
- President Tokayev highlighted the market potential of a unified Central Asian population of more than 80 million people, urging Korean investment in transport, logistics and AI initiatives.
- President Mirziyoyev described the region as an emerging “hub of global connectivity” and advocated a Regional Investment Alliance for Critical Minerals.
- President Sadyr Japarov called for a joint investment fund to finance priority projects.
- President Emomali Rahmon emphasized water security, climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today, Central Asia is no longer merely a supplier of raw materials,” — Shavkat Mirziyoyev
- “We propose a ‘resources–technology–industry’ model for jointly developing complete value chains,” — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
What’s Next
- The $20 billion trade goal for 2030 will guide negotiations and investment planning.
- A Regional Investment Alliance and a joint investment fund are slated for creation.
- Expansion of the Middle Corridor will continue, with Korean firms such as CJ Logistics and LX Pantos developing multimodal terminals in Kazakhstan.
- Kazakhstan plans to establish a Center for Technological Cooperation in Rare and Rare-Earth Metals in Almaty, moving cooperation from resource exploration to industrial production.
- The biennial leaders’ summit and the industry-minister mechanism will provide ongoing platforms for coordination and implementation.