(Yonhap Interview) Kazakhstan seeks to deepen economic ties with S. Korea beyond autos into high-tech, key minerals

Kazakhstan is aiming to strengthen economic ties with South Korea beyond the automotive sector, exploring opportunities in high-tech fields, critical minerals, and other advanced industries. This strategy was outlined by Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi in a recent interview with Yonhap News Agency, preceding President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to South Korea for the inaugural multilateral summit.

The summit, set to take place in Seoul, will involve leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, focusing on areas such as critical minerals, energy, and supply chain diversification. Tileuberdi emphasized the robust economic foundation between Kazakhstan and Korea, noting that bilateral trade reached US$3.17 billion in 2025, with numerous South Korean companies operating in Kazakhstan.

The nation's automotive sector, exemplified by Hyundai and Kia's facilities in Almaty and Kostanay, serves as a model for broader industrial cooperation. Tileuberdi identified artificial intelligence and data infrastructure as promising areas for new joint projects, highlighting Kazakhstan's growing computing and data center capacity.

Critical minerals, including uranium, copper, chromium, and zinc, also constitute a priority, as Kazakhstan seeks to process these raw materials into higher value-added products and integrate them into Korean industrial supply chains. Additionally, Kazakhstan's strategic geographic position along key trade routes linking Asia and Europe provides a valuable advantage for Korean companies looking to diversify their supply chains.