Presidents of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea reaffirm readiness to elevate special strategic partnership to a new level

During his stay in Seoul, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea, first one-on-one and then with the participation of the official delegations.

The leaders discussed the further development and deepening of the Uzbek-Korean special strategic partnership.

Warmly welcoming the President of Uzbekistan, President Lee Jae Myung described the current visit as an important event in the history of Uzbek-Korean relations, which have traditionally been based on the principles of friendship and mutual respect.

In turn, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that over the years, the Republic of Korea has become a reliable friend and one of Uzbekistan’s most important economic partners.

In this context, the leaders noted with satisfaction the growth in trade and investment. More than 700 joint ventures with Korean capital operate in Uzbekistan. 

In cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korea Eximbank, and the EDCF Fund, dozens of projects are being implemented in medicine and healthcare, industry, ICT, agriculture and water management, energy, infrastructure, and education.

During the talks, the leaders noted the need to intensify contacts between the two countries at the level of parliaments, ministries and agencies, regional administrations, and business communities.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined five priority areas for further expanding economic cooperation with the Republic of Korea.

These include deepening trade ties, increasing investment, and developing cooperation in critical minerals, transport, and infrastructure.

Following the results of the current visit, the investment portfolio is taking on a new scale: promising projects worth approximately $12 billion have been prepared. A partnership program with the Korea Eximbank has been adopted.

The parties paid particular attention to building a strong innovation and technology alliance based on advanced Korean technologies and the resource and industrial potential of New Uzbekistan.

It was proposed to focus the alliance on information technology, cybersecurity, and advanced and digital technologies in medicine, healthcare, and pharmaceutical production.

The parties expressed readiness to develop military-technical cooperation, including by expanding interagency contacts, organizing joint events, and training military specialists.

The leaders highly praised the first-ever Interregional Forum held on the eve of the visit and agreed to hold the next forum in Samarkand.

During the talks, the sides focused on deepening cooperation in education and professional training.

They noted with satisfaction that four branches of South Korean universities operate in Uzbekistan, training highly qualified specialists in pedagogy, IT, engineering, digital technologies, and other priority areas of the modern economy.

In addition, five vocational training centers established with the assistance of KOICA operate successfully in Uzbekistan, providing young people with broad opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills and realize their potential.

The sides emphasized the important role of the bilateral Forum of Rectors in exchanging practical experience in personnel training.

They noted that cultural exchanges are particularly important for the development of bilateral relations, as they contribute to deepening mutual understanding and strengthening ties of friendship between the two peoples.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that “the large Korean diaspora is an integral part of Uzbekistan’s multinational family and serves as a ‘spiritual bridge’ between our countries and peoples.”

To further develop these special humanitarian ties, the parties agreed to declare 2027 the “Year of Culture and Mutual Exchanges” and hold joint cultural and humanitarian events.

During the talks, the sides also confirmed the closeness of their positions on the regional and international agenda.