By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit with President Sadyr Japarov of the Kyrgyz Republic, who is on an official visit to South Korea, at the Yongsan presidential office on Dec. 3, 2024, and signed a joint statement to further develop bilateral relations.

A total of 10 intergovernmental cooperation documents were signed in the presence of the two leaders.

The Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic. This is expected to strengthen the institutional framework for economic cooperation and expand trade and investment through the establishment of public-private networks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce have decided to revise the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement signed in 2013 to create a more business-friendly environment.

The MOU on cooperation in the energy sector and key minerals will expand cooperation in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and supply chain with Kyrgyzstan, which has abundant water and mineral resources. 

Kyrgyzstan, which is 90 percent mountainous, relies on hydropower for most of its electricity generation and has minerals such as antimony, which is used in batteries.

“The Republic of Korea and the Kyrgyz Republic have developed close friendship and cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992,” Yoon said at the summit, noting that the first direct flight between the two capitals was launched last year, in line with the growing bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

“Our government recognizes the strategic importance of Central Asia as a bridgehead between Asia and Europe,” he said. ‘In June of this year, we announced the ’Korea-Central Asia K-Silk Road Cooperation Initiative,' Korea's first Central Asia-specific diplomatic strategy. Under this initiative, the Republic of Korea hopes to dramatically advance its relations with the Kyrgyz Republic, an important partner in the Central Asian region.”

President Zaparov thanked the Korean government for its warm hospitality and expressed his gratitude for the various ways the Korean government is helping the Kyrgyz Republic develop economically and socially through its support to the Kyrgyz Republic. “The Kyrgyz Republic considers Korea to be one of its most important partners in Asia,” he said, ”and we look forward to realizing the potential of our cooperation in the future.”

“We fully support the idea of cooperation on the K-Silk Road,” he said, ”and we will actively support the successful holding of next year's Korea-Central Asia Summit.”

The two countries also echoed the same sentiments on North Korea-Russia military cooperation. “At a critical time when the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea continues to escalate, it is necessary for the international community to unite and send a firm message to Russia and North Korea,” Yoon said, adding, ”I expect the Kyrgyz Republic to support the international community's efforts to end the cooperation.” 

President Zaparov expressed his support for the South Korean government's North Korea policy, including the “August 15 Unification Doctrine” and the “Bold Initiative,” and said, “We will continue to work together for the complete denuclearization of North Korea.”