The leaders of the 2 nations met in Seoul for a summit forward of this week’s Korea-Central Asia Summit
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (proper) and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev shake palms on Sept. 7, 2026, on the Blue Home. (pool photograph)
President Lee Jae Myung and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev agreed Monday to broaden bilateral cooperation past their conventional concentrate on transportation and infrastructure to high-tech industries and initiatives aimed toward bettering folks’s lives, as Mirziyoyev visited Seoul forward of Wednesday’s Korea-Central Asia Summit.
“I hope that we will additional strengthen our particular strategic partnership based mostly on the deep friendship and belief that has been constructed between our two nations and take a leap ahead collectively towards a way forward for shared prosperity and peace,” Lee mentioned.
Lee held an expanded summit assembly with Mirziyoyev on the Blue Home that day.
“As the one nation in Central Asia with which we now have a particular strategic relationship, Uzbekistan is a useful good friend and key associate to Korea,” he mentioned.
“I consider we will broaden the horizons of mutually useful cooperation in sectors comparable to transportation, infrastructure, healthcare, responses to the local weather disaster, important mineral provide chains, AI, digital expertise and the protection trade. By means of this, we can drive the momentum for future development,” Lee emphasised.
Mirziyoyev responded by expressing his hope that his go to to Seoul would function a possibility to “breathe new life into the particular strategic partnership between our two nations.”
The 2 went on to signal 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding. The principle focus is on constantly increasing current cooperation in areas comparable to transportation, infrastructure, and protection whereas additionally selling key minerals, AI, and digital transformation as new areas of cooperation.
Amongst these, MOUs concerning Uzbekistan’s introduction of eight high-speed prepare units and the institution of a Biome Middle, a nationwide genome and biobank facility, embrace provisions to increase the scope of venture cooperation based mostly on the outcomes of feasibility research and to assist the entry of Korean corporations into these markets.
The 2 leaders additional agreed to strengthen provide chain cooperation throughout exploration, growth and processing of uncommon metals, led by the Uzbek-Korean Uncommon Metals Middle. As for AI, the 2 sides agreed to increase cooperation on AI innovation in manufacturing based mostly on a associated MOU.
The leaders have been in consensus on rising cooperation in areas which have a direct influence on the lives of Uzbeks and Koreans, such because the setting and public well being, and attaining tangible outcomes on these fronts.
By Shim Woo-sam, workers reporter
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