By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
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The following is the full-text of the joint statement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea. –Ed.
On June 11-13, 2024, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol paid a state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan at the invitation of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
On June 12, 2024, the Heads of two states (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) held negotiations in the city of Astana. During the negotiations, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, the Parties highly appreciated the dynamics of the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.
The Parties exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen bilateral practical cooperation.
Political Cooperation: Strengthening Dialogue
1. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev supported the first Strategy for cooperation of the Republic of Korea with the countries of Central Asia “K-Silk ROAD”, announced by the Republic of Korea in June 2024. An agreement has been reached on close cooperation in the implementation of this initiative.
2. The Parties noted the positive dynamics of cooperation within the framework of the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Forum. The Parties intend to continue constructive interaction in order to promote bilateral and multilateral projects of the Republic of Korea with the countries of Central Asia.
The Heads of the two countries agreed to subsequently work together on the development of the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the proposal of President Yoon Suk Yeol to hold the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Summit in 2025.
3. The Parties noted the contribution of both countries to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and expressed their readiness to further strengthen cooperation.
The Parties agreed to make joint efforts to restore full sovereign equality within the IAEA. The Republic of Korea expressed support for the entry of the Republic of Kazakhstan into the IAEA Far East Group on the conditions that it would not affect its status in the IAEA Board of Governors and related interests.
4. The Parties agreed to continue cooperation in order to strengthen the international non-proliferation regime, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
In particular, Kazakhstan's various efforts to strengthen and institutionalize the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) were appreciated.
5. The Parties agreed to continue joint efforts to promote confidence-building measures within the framework of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to strengthen peace, stability and trust in the region. The Kazakh side expressed gratitude to the Korean side for supporting the Kazakhstan's chairmanship in CICA in 2022-2024.
6. The Parties agreed that the complete denuclearization of North Korea will contribute to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the entire world.
The Parties called on North Korea to cease any actions that threaten international peace and security and to fulfill its obligations in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The Republic of Kazakhstan expressed support for the Bold Initiative of the Government of the Republic of Korea to create a nuclear-free, peaceful and prosperous Korean Peninsula and supported a free, peaceful and united Korean Peninsula. The Korean side highly appreciated Kazakhstan's efforts to strengthen cooperation between all existing nuclear-weapon-free zones.
7. The Parties emphasize the importance of global dialogue among religions and cultures, including within the framework of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which is a platform to promote the ideas of mutual respect and religious tolerance.
8. The Republic of Kazakhstan highly appreciates the contribution of international organizations based in the Republic of Korea such as the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in responding to climate change and ensuring green growth.
9. The Parties agreed to promote economic and social development in the Central Asian region by facilitating trilateral cooperation between the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Economic Partnership: Mutually Beneficial Projects
10. The Parties emphasized that the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (hereinafter - the Joint Commission) as well as the conclusion of the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) plays an important role in promoting trade and investment between the two countries. It was agreed to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment and practical cooperation through meetings of the Joint Commission and TIPF.
11. The importance of regular meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was noted in order to identify prospective areas of trade and economic cooperation and promote joint investment projects.
12. The Parties highly appreciated the arrangement of a Business Forum in Astana on June 12, 2024, which was attended by of business circles of the two countries. They expressed hope that the commercial documents signed during the visit of President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol to the Republic of Kazakhstan would positively contribute to the development of trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.
13. The Parties agreed to continue to supply Kazakh uranium to the Republic of Korea and to consider the possibility of increasing its volumes.
NAC Kazatomprom JSC continuously monitors public tenders on the official website of the authorized Korean energy company for the supply of natural uranium and intends to participate in tenders in case of such an announcement.
Also, in order to maintain partnership relations, NAC Kazatomprom JSC regularly holds negotiations with representatives of the authorized Korean energy company to discuss prospects for bilateral cooperation.
An agreement was reached on a study of the state of the energy infrastructure and the use of Korean technologies to improve the environmental facilities of the coal industry during the modernization of Kazakh thermal power plants by Korean companies.
The Parties noted the importance of continuing cooperation in the purchase of Kazakh crude oil by Korean companies, while using alternative trade routes.
The Parties welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea on comprehensive cooperation in the field of electric power.
The Parties recognized the need for comprehensive cooperation in the field of mineral resources and the creation of their supply chain.
14. An agreement was reached on joint efforts to implement projects in the field of ecology and combating the consequences of climate change. The Parties intend to explore the possibilities of implementing projects through the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), which is chaired by Kazakhstan for 2024-2026.
Efforts to develop cooperation in the fight against forest fires and modernize the Kazakhstan's fire protection systems using high technologies are welcome.
15. The Parties agreed to promote the participation of Korean technologies and companies in the field of water resources, including improving Kazakhstan's water supply system, strengthening water use capabilities through the introduction of water-saving technologies, creating flood protection infrastructure, and improving flood response capabilities through the use of artificial intelligence and ICT technologies.
16. The Parties agreed to develop relationship on the implementation of projects in the field of green energy, including the production of green hydrogen.
The Parties welcome the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea on comprehensive cooperation in the field of reducing greenhouse gas emissions based on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The Parties also emphasized the relevance of the participation of Korean companies in projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
17. The Parties welcome the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea on cooperation in the field of knowledge exchange and development.
The memorandum of understanding will help establish cooperative relations for the sustainable economic development of the two countries. The Parties welcome the idea of strengthening economic cooperation based on the Memorandum of Understanding and will carry out joint activities in various ways such as joint research and supporting feasibility studies, depending on the needs of Kazakhstan in the future.
18. The Parties noted the importance of signing a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of banking supervision between the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service of the Republic of Korea.
The document will strengthen mutual coordination and contribute to expanding the presence of Korean financial institutions in Kazakhstan.
19. The Parties emphasized the role of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) in attracting Korean investments to Kazakhstan.
20. The Parties noted smart farm technologies as a measure to address climate change and strengthen food security and agreed to cooperate in expanding the entry of Korean companies into the Kazakhstan market, specializing in smart farms and the development of smart agriculture in the two countries.
People-to-People Ties are the Foundation for Strong Friendship
21. The Parties believe that the resumption of direct flights between the capitals (Astana - Seoul) and the increase in flights on the Almaty - Seoul route contribute to the intensification of people-to-people ties.
22. The Parties highly appreciate the intensification of cooperation in the field of higher education. The Parties agreed to encourage comprehensive and constant cooperation and expansion of exchange, including academic mobility of students and teachers as well as to develop interaction in the training of highly qualified specialists in technical areas both in the Republic of Kazakhstan and in the Republic of Korea.
The Parties support the teaching of the Kazakh language in the Republic of Korea and the Korean language in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
23. The Parties agreed to develop cooperation in the field of science and technology and conduct advanced research as well as strengthen humanitarian exchanges between higher education and scientific and technological institutes.
The Parties welcome the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea in the fields of science and technology.
24. The Parties positively noted the positive dynamics in mutual visits by tourists to the two countries and the high potential for developing cooperation in this area.
The Parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism as well as to continue to participate in international tourism exchange events organized in the territories of the two countries.
25. The Parties agreed to continue participation in sports exchange events held in the two countries as well as to actively work on establishing cooperation between the sports federations of the two countries.
26. The Korean side expressed gratitude to the Kazakh people for the warm welcome of Korean settlers in the 1930s. The Parties highly appreciated the role of ethnic Koreans of Kazakhstan in the development of business and cultural ties between the two countries.
27. The Parties agreed to work to strengthen joint cooperation in the field of employment and labor.
The Parties welcome the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Employment and Labor of the Republic of Korea on cooperation in the fields of labor and employment.
28. The Parties agreed to cooperate in the field of development of the civil service as well as in the exchange of experience and knowledge related to the management in order to strengthen the capacity of the Governments of the two countries.
The Parties welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs and the Ministry of Personnel Management of the Republic of Korea.
A Look into the Future
29. The Parties expressed satisfaction over the results of the state visit of President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol and highly appreciated this visit which made a positive contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries. President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the warm welcome and hospitality provided to the delegation. The heads of the two countries confirmed their firm intention to continue highest-level contacts between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea.
30. President Yoon Suk Yeol invited President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to pay a return visit to Korea at any convenient time for him. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gratefully accepted the invitation.
