Korea, Central Asia seek new path beyond Silk Road, deepen ties in AI, critical minerals: FM

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has called for enhanced cooperation between Korea and Central Asia, focusing on strategic resources, supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI), and other forward-looking sectors. In a statement to Yonhap News Agency, Cho emphasized the potential for a stronger partnership during the upcoming first Korea-Central Asia summit, set to take place on Wednesday.

The summit will bring together leaders from Korea and the five Central Asian nations - Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan - to explore avenues for deepening cooperation and mutual prosperity.

The summit marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first leaders' meeting of its kind. Cho highlighted the importance of the accumulated trust and the combined efforts of the past three decades, which will serve as a solid foundation for the partnership in the coming thirty years. In 1992, Korea established diplomatic ties with the five Central Asian countries, demonstrating its commitment to the region.

Prior to this, the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum was launched in 2007, positioning Korea favorably among major powers such as the United States, China, and the European Union, who have also been active in regional cooperation.