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Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has called for strengthened collaboration between South Korea and Central Asian countries, focusing on key areas such as strategic resources, supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI), and other forward-looking sectors. The call for deeper ties was made in advance of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia summit, where leaders from the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan will gather to discuss ways to bolster their partnership for mutual prosperity.

The summit marks the first time such a leaders' meeting has taken place, and it is anticipated to lay a strong foundation for the next three decades of cooperation built on the trust and joint efforts of the past three decades.

South Korea established diplomatic relations with the Central Asian states in 1992 and initiated the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum in 2007, a status it attained when the forum was elevated to a ministerial level in 2019. Trade between the two parties surpassed US$10 billion for the first time last year, expanding beyond consumer goods into supply chains and high-tech industries.

Cho highlighted the complementary strengths of South Korea's advanced manufacturing and technological capabilities and Central Asia's abundant resources and burgeoning markets, asserting that the partnership will be mutually beneficial.

Cho emphasized the significance of diversifying collaboration in critical minerals, supply chains, AI, digital transformation, and climate change response, stating that the two sides can create new avenues for shared growth by leveraging their respective strengths. He also stressed the strategic importance of Central Asian ties for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, citing the five countries' support for the denuclearization of the peninsula and South Korea's stance on peace and stability.

Cho believes that the peace and stability of both regions are fundamental to the co-prosperity of Eurasia, and South Korea remains committed to fostering this cooperative approach.

The minister underscored the importance of people-to-people connections, noting that the presence of approximately 310,000 ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, 5,000 Korean businesspeople and overseas Koreans in the region, and around 150,000 Central Asian students and industrial workers in South Korea have the potential to transform ad-hoc interactions into enduring bonds.

Recalling the history of the Silk Road, Cho emphasized that South Korea and Central Asia are now forging a new path based on affinity, technology, people, and culture, as they step forward together to embrace the promise of the future.