By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
“Kyrgyzstan is a country of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. I would especially recommend Korean tourists to visit our country, often called as the Alps of Central Asia,” said Amb. of the Kyrgyz Republic to Korea Aida Ismailova on April 18.
In an exclusive interview with Diplomacy Journal held at the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Seoul, Amb. Ismailova said, “The Kyrgyz government is actively developing the tourism sector and implementing programs to attract foreign visitors. These include a visa-free regime for Korean citizens, publishing tourist guides in Korean, promoting the country’s image abroad, participating in international tourism expos (including in Seoul), and organizing info-tours for Korean travel agencies — all as part of these initiatives.”
She continued to say, “Especially, I recommend Korean tourists to visit Lake Issyk-Kul, which is widely known as the ‘Pearl of Central Asia,’ Ala-Archa National Park in the mountains, the ancient city of Osh and its iconic Sulaiman-Too mountain, and historic monuments along the Great Silk Road.”
Noting that Kyrgyzstan has significant potential in hydropower and rich reserves of rare earth elements, the ambassador said, “In this context, the memorandum of cooperation in the fields of energy and critical minerals is very timely. Joint research with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) is planned to explore mineral deposits using Korean technology.”
Commenting that a highlight of President Zhaparov’s visit in December last year was the Kyrgyz-Korean Investment Dialogue organized in partnership with Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Amb. Ismailova said, “It gathered over 30 executives from leading Korean companies, including GS Neotek, Daewoo E&C, LG, Lotte, KT&G, T-Way Air, and Woojin Industrial Systems, as well as 10 heads of major Korean associations.”
During the President’s visit to Korea, 15 agreements were signed in areas such as agroforestry (USD 40 million), feasibility studies for 10 new small hydropower plants, a USD 10 million landfill gas power project in Osh, logistics center construction, hospitality, agriculture, and digitalization (USD 13 million in total).
The following is the full-text of the Diplomacy Journal’s interview with Amb. Ismailova. --Ed.
Question: Diplomatic relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Korea were officially established in 1992. How have bilateral relations developed during this period?
Answer: Diplomatic relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Korea have been steadily and progressively developing since their establishment on January 31, 1992. Over the past three decades, our two countries have become reliable partners, bound by shared interests, mutual respect, and friendship. A solid legal framework has been established, covering political, trade and economic, cultural, educational, and humanitarian cooperation.
In 2006, a Consulate of the Kyrgyz Republic was opened in Seoul, which was upgraded to an Embassy in June 2008. In September 2007, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea began operating in Bishkek.
One of the most significant milestones in bilateral relations was the official visit of President Sadyr Zhaparov to the Republic of Korea on December 2–4, 2024. It is worth noting that this was the first high-level visit in 11 years and marked a breakthrough in our relations, with the signing of an impressive package of agreements worth a considerable sum.
Let me briefly touch on the background leading up to this visit. Organizing such high-level events requires considerable preparatory work. Over the past couple of years, we facilitated a series of high-level visits and events. In November 2022, after a 16-year hiatus, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Jeenbek Kulubaev, visited Korea. Then in February 2023, after a 9-year gap, we successfully organized the official visit of the Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh, Mr. Nurlanbek Shakiev. In 2023, for the first time in our diplomatic history, inter-MFA consultations were held, which play a key role in strengthening bilateral cooperation. These and other efforts laid a strong foundation for organizing the President’s visit.
As for the visit itself, I would like to emphasize the meticulous work conducted by the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. We closely coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure a meaningful and productive program. As a result of these efforts, 26 bilateral documents were signed, totaling USD 563 million. Let me briefly highlight a few of them.
The most important document signed by the two Presidents was the Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Korea. We are proud to say that Kyrgyz-Korean relations have reached a new and higher level.
Q: Could you tell us about the National Day of your wonderful country — Independence Day (August 31)?
A: Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic is celebrated annually on August 31 and is the country’s main national holiday. On this day in 1991, Kyrgyzstan declared its independence, marking the beginning of a new chapter in our nation's history.
This day symbolizes the Kyrgyz people’s aspiration for freedom, sovereignty, and the establishment of a democratic, lawful, and just society.
The celebrations are accompanied by official ceremonies, concerts, folk festivals, and sports events. Independence Day is not only a time to express national pride but also a moment to honor our ancestors who fought for our freedom and statehood.
Q: What is the current volume of bilateral trade between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Korea? Which industries in the Kyrgyz Republic are of interest to Korean investors?
A: It should be noted that trade between our countries has increased more than sixteenfold over the past five years. However, there is still great potential for further development. According to the Korea Customs Service, bilateral trade reached nearly USD 1.8 billion in 2024, and this figure continues to grow annually.
Despite the dynamic growth, the share of Kyrgyz exports remains relatively low. To revitalize this area, we established contacts and signed cooperation memorandums between “Kyrgyzexport” and key Korean trade support institutions such as the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), Korea International Trade Association (KITA), and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). These steps laid the groundwork for deeper business cooperation between our countries.
Regarding Korean investment, several important developments have taken place:
• A company called “BC Card Kyrgyzstan” was launched through a successful partnership between Korea’s BC Card and Smartro with Kyrgyzstan’s Interbank Processing Center. The initiative aims to modernize Kyrgyzstan’s payment infrastructure by offering secure cashless solutions.
• The Korean company DAESUNG is establishing elevator production in Kyrgyzstan and recently delivered a sample elevator to the Bishkek City Hall.
• A memorandum was signed with “Blue Networks” and “Chakan HPP” for the supply of electric vehicle charging stations, which are currently being tested in Kyrgyzstan.
In addition, during President Zhaparov’s visit, a Framework Agreement was signed between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the Republic of Korea for concessional loans under the EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) for the period 2025–2029, totaling USD 500 million. These loans will be used for infrastructure, healthcare, education, digitalization, and energy projects.
Another major milestone was the signing of the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF), which serves as a foundation for enhancing economic cooperation.
Currently, the Korean side prioritizes cooperation in renewable energy and critical minerals. Kyrgyzstan has significant potential in hydropower and rich reserves of rare earth elements. In this context, the memorandum of cooperation in the fields of energy and critical minerals is very timely. Joint research with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) is planned to explore mineral deposits using Korean technology.
A highlight of President Zhaparov’s visit was the Kyrgyz-Korean Investment Dialogue organized in partnership with Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. It gathered over 30 executives from leading Korean companies — including GS Neotek, Daewoo E&C, LG, Lotte, KT&G, T-Way Air, and Woojin Industrial Systems — as well as 10 heads of major Korean associations. As a result, 15 agreements were signed in areas such as agroforestry (USD 40 million), feasibility studies for 10 new small hydropower plants, a USD 10 million landfill gas power project in Osh, logistics center construction, hospitality, agriculture, and digitalization (USD 13 million in total).
Q: What tourist destinations in Kyrgyzstan would you recommend to Korean tourists? Are there any government programs aimed at attracting foreign tourists, including Korean citizens?
A: Kyrgyzstan is a country of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. I would especially recommend Korean tourists to visit:
• Lake Issyk-Kul — the “Pearl of Central Asia”
• Ala-Archa National Park in the mountains
• The ancient city of Osh and its iconic Sulaiman-Too mountain
• Historic monuments along the Great Silk Road
• And, of course, experience nomadic culture by attending ethnofestivals and staying in yurts
The Kyrgyz government is actively developing the tourism sector and implementing programs to attract foreign visitors. These include a visa-free regime for Korean citizens, publishing tourist guides in Korean, promoting the country’s image abroad, participating in international tourism expos (including in Seoul), and organizing info-tours for Korean travel agencies — all as part of these initiatives.
Q: Could you share one of the most memorable or joyful moments from your diplomatic service?
A: Every day in diplomatic service brings new challenges and joys, but one particularly memorable moment was when we, together with Korean and Kyrgyz cultural organizations, held a pilot performance of the play “Semetey” — a continuation of the great epic “Manas” — on the stage of the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju.
This event became a true cultural bridge between our peoples and sparked great interest among the Korean audience.
Q: Does the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic plan any events in 2025? If so, could you share more details?
A: Yes, 2025 promises to be a year full of meaningful events. Just recently, we successfully held the “Colour of Asia” concert dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Korea.
On April 16, 2025, the international concert “Colour of Asia” took place at one of Seoul’s largest concert halls — Lotte Concert Hall — organized in honor of the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Korea.
The event was attended by over 2,000 compatriots and guests. It became a vibrant symbol of friendship, mutual respect, and a shared desire to deepen cultural ties between our countries. The concert was organized by the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Republic of Korea, in cooperation with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, ABC Corporation, CJS International Culture & Arts Association, Vino Worldwide Co., Ltd., and the Soreal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The rich program featured leading tenors and sopranos from Korea, Italy, and Mongolia. The audience warmly received the Kyrgyz national dance ensemble “Aiperi” and a duet of komuz players.
In her speech, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Korea, Ms. Aida Ismailova, emphasized the importance of such cultural events in strengthening humanitarian ties, mutual understanding, and friendship between peoples. She expressed gratitude for the support of the Embassy’s initiative, especially to Ms. Ahn Ju-eun, Director of ABC Corporation, for her help in realizing the event marking 33 years of Kyrgyz-Korean diplomatic relations.
The concert became a true celebration of music, tradition, and cultural diversity, showcasing the uniqueness and richness of Kyrgyz culture to a wide international audience.
