Seoul to hold 1st Central Asia summit, discuss critical minerals, supply chain cooperation

Seoul is set to host the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit next week, focusing on cooperation in critical minerals, energy sources, and supply chain diversification. The summit, featuring heads of state from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, aims to strengthen innovation, prosperity, and connectivity between the two regions.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung revealed that the government seeks to diversify global supply chains by combining Central Asia's critical minerals and energy resources with South Korea's exploration and processing expertise. The summit will also help South Korean firms expand into the region by facilitating tailored cooperation on infrastructure, customs, regulations, and intellectual property rights.

Additionally, Seoul will seek the Central Asian countries' support in addressing issues related to the Korean Peninsula and transnational crimes like terrorism, drugs, and cybercrimes. This marks South Korea's first multilateral leader-level meeting with Central Asian nations, signaling the growing strategic significance of the region amid global security concerns.

The government plans to expand cooperation beyond resources and infrastructure to advanced industries such as artificial intelligence, science, technology, and climate change response. The summit will also witness upgraded cooperation frameworks between the two regions, with the government moving from a ministerial level to a summit level.

President Lee Jae Myung will hold individual summit meetings with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Following the summit, Lee will attend a business summit to deepen economic networks between South Korean and Central Asian business leaders.