Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | On September 15th, President Lee Jae-Myung of the Republic of Korea and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a summit at the Presidential Office-Mansion, Blue House, in Seoul and upgraded the bilateral relations to the status of a "future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership"--the first such upgrading in 17 years.

The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation beyond the traditional focus on trade and investment to encompass strategic areas such as economic security (including energy and critical minerals), AI, science and technology, future aviation, urban development, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The two nations established diplomatic ties in 1992 and formed a "strategic partnership" in 2009. This upgrade, occurring after approximately 17 years, signifies a major step forward in cooperation with Kazakhstan—Central Asia's largest oil producer and South Korea's largest trading and investment partner in the region.

Economic security, particularly regarding energy and critical minerals, was a key agenda item at the summit.

The leaders acknowledged the signing of a "framework agreement on crude oil cooperation," a follow-up measure to the plan to import 18 million barrels of Kazakh crude oil—an initiative launched during the visit of a South Korean Presidential special envoy to Kazakhstan last April. The agreement encompasses cooperation not only in crude oil supply but also in geological exploration, the development of oil and gas fields, responses to global supply disruptions, petrochemical research, and human resource development.
The two nations agreed to combine their respective strengths to explore opportunities for various joint projects, including the joint development of energy resources.

In the critical minerals sector, they agreed to strengthen supply chain cooperation by linking Kazakhstan’s abundant mineral resources with South Korea’s processing and manufacturing technologies—an initiative to be supported by the establishment of a "Rare Metals Technology Cooperation Center" in Kazakhstan.

Cooperation in the nuclear energy sector will also be intensified. Building on the "MOU on Cooperation in the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy," the two countries agreed to pursue full-lifecycle cooperation in nuclear power and expand the foundation for South Korean companies to enter the Kazakh market. Agreements signed during the summit include provisions for joint research on nuclear power plants and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as well as cooperation regarding nuclear fuel supply.

To simultaneously advance energy security and carbon neutrality, the two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in future energy sectors, such as renewable and clean energy.

Identifying New Growth Engines: AI, Science & Technology, and Future Aviation:
A key feature of this summit was the expansion of the scope of cooperation from traditional resource and energy sectors to cutting-edge industries.

The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as AI and science & technology, data and statistics, and future aviation mobility. The future aviation sector encompasses technologies like drones and Urban Air Mobility (UAM).

Regarding the cultivation of talent in science and technology, they agreed to support the establishment of "Kaz-AIST"--modeled after the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)--and to cooperate on the development of Kazakhstan’s "Alatau New City." The initiative aims to create a new growth model by combining South Korea’s technological and innovative capabilities with Kazakhstan’s need for industrial modernization.

President Lee requested the Kazakh government's continued attention and support to ensure that South Korean companies operating in the country can conduct business in a stable and predictable environment.
Acknowledging the investments made by South Korean companies and their contributions to Kazakhstan's industrial modernization, President Tokayev expressed a commitment to active support, including designating the First Deputy Prime Minister to lead a "Korea Desk" dedicated to assisting South Korean firms.

As this serves as a support channel designed to translate intergovernmental agreements into tangible business activities and increased investment, its future operations and follow-up projects are drawing keen attention.

The leaders of the two nations reflected not only on economic cooperation but also on the historical ties shared by South Korea and Kazakhstan.

President Lee expressed appreciation for the friendship shown by the Kazakh government and its people, who cooperated in the 2021 repatriation of General Hong Beom-do’s remains to his homeland, 78 years after his passing.

The two leaders also acknowledged the role of Kazakhstan’s ethnic Korean community—numbering approximately 120,000—as a bridge between the two nations. They agreed to carry these historical ties forward to future generations, marking the 2027 milestone of the 90th anniversary of ethnic Koreans settling in Central Asia. To this end, they agreed to deepen cooperation in managing historical sites and records related to the independence movement.

Measures were also established to expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges that citizens can directly experience.

With Kazakhstan’s designation as a sending country under the Employment Permit System (EPS), a foundation has been laid for Kazakh nationals to enter South Korea stably, while expanding opportunities for South Korean SMEs to hire workers from Kazakhstan.

The two nations agreed to leverage the "2026–2030 MOU on Cultural Cooperation" and collaboration in the content sector to translate the interest in K-Culture within Kazakhstan into long-term cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as well as cooperation in the creative economy.

They also pledged close cooperation in combating transnational crime to protect their citizens from harm.
Following the summit, a total of 13 cooperation agreements were signed in the presence of the two leaders.
These agreements cover a wide range of fields, including crude oil, nuclear energy, science and technology, future aviation, urban development, and environmental and climate action.

The two countries intend to use these agreements as an institutional foundation to turn the leaders' consensus into concrete projects.

President Tokayev invited President Lee to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan in 2027, and the two sides agreed to coordinate a mutually convenient time through diplomatic channels.

This summit served as an opportunity to expand the bilateral relationship--built over three decades--from a focus on resources and trade to a comprehensive cooperation structure encompassing economic security, supply chains, high-tech industries, science and technology, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The key task moving forward will be the follow-up implementation required to translate the signed MOUs and the leaders' agreements into tangible investments, joint projects, and exchanges of technology and personnel.

By Publisher-Chairman Lee Jon-Young, Feature Editor Andy Hyun