Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Korea-Kyrgyzstan summit meeting on September 16th this year vowed efforts to expanded cooperation in critical minerals, urban development, AI, and opening of KOTRA Trade Office in Bishkek. The two leaders also agreed to the following:
--Elevating the ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ to the next level; cooperation spanning trade and investment to critical minerals, AI, and climate action.
--Establishment of a ‘Korea Desk’ within the National Investment Agency; mutual recognition of Halal certification to facilitate entry for K-Food and K-Beauty.
--Signing of 18 cooperation agreements covering urban development, infrastructure, PPPs, and smart grids; strengthening cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to the public.
On that day, President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea and President Sadyr Zhaparov of the Kyrgyz Republic held a summit at the Blue House (the Office-Residence of the President of the Republic of Korea in Seoul) and agreed to expand substantive cooperation across various sectors, including trade and investment, critical minerals, urban development and infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), and climate and the environment.
The two leaders agreed to advance the existing ‘Korea-Kyrgyzstan Comprehensive Partnership’—leveraging its vast potential—to a higher level. They also decided to broaden the scope of cooperation to encompass trade and investment, critical minerals, urban development and infrastructure, development cooperation, food security, public administration, public safety and disaster response, AI, climate and the environment, people-to-people exchanges, and culture and education.
In the economic and trade sectors, a new cooperation framework was established to provide practical support to companies from both nations. Acknowledging the recent growth in bilateral trade, the leaders agreed to open a KOTRA trade office in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to foster a stable and sustainable trade and investment relationship. Additionally, they decided to establish a ‘Korea Desk’ within the National Investment Agency—an agency directly under the President of Kyrgyzstan—to provide dedicated support for Korean companies. The two sides agreed to enhance transparency and predictability in customs clearance through customs cooperation and to strengthen the foundation for protecting the rights of Korean companies in the intellectual property sector. In particular, they decided to support the entry of K-Food and K-Beauty companies into Kyrgyzstan—and their subsequent expansion into the broader Central Asian market—by pursuing the mutual recognition of Halal certifications.
The urban development and infrastructure sectors, where demand is rising alongside Kyrgyzstan's economic growth, were also identified as key areas for cooperation. Through this summit, the two nations established a foundation for collaboration in urban planning, infrastructure development, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and smart grids. The plan is to identify new business opportunities by combining institutional cooperation at the government level with the technological and business capabilities of private enterprises.
According to a government policy briefing, the cooperation agreements signed during the summit cover not only urban planning and infrastructure but also areas closely linked to the daily lives of citizens, such as livestock technology, digital forest restoration, employment, culture and sports, and education.
Critical Minerals: A New Area for Cooperation
Critical minerals have also emerged as a key driver for future economic cooperation between Korea and Kyrgyzstan. The two leaders agreed to identify promising joint projects in the critical minerals sector by leveraging their respective complementary strengths. This move is seen as an effort to expand supply chain cooperation by linking Central Asia’s resource potential with Korea’s technological and industrial capabilities.
The two sides also agreed to build upon existing achievements in development cooperation, including healthcare, food security, and public administration. The leaders pledged to continue pursuing mutually beneficial projects that contribute to Kyrgyzstan’s national development and the improvement of its citizens' quality of life.
Furthermore, the two countries are exploring new possibilities for cooperation in future-oriented industries, such as artificial intelligence (AI). They agreed to jointly address transboundary environmental issues and the climate crisis in Central Asia, as well as to expand cooperation in future growth sectors such as digital transformation and smart grids.
In the areas of public security and disaster response, they decided to strengthen investigative cooperation against transnational crime and collaboration in police training, while also sharing policies and field response experiences regarding natural disasters. Through these measures, they aim to broaden the scope of cooperation beyond economics to include the protection of their citizens' lives and safety.
The two leaders also shared the view that people-to-people exchanges serve as a crucial foundation for the long-term development of bilateral relations. Accordingly, they agreed to revitalize exchanges between their citizens and enhance cooperation in culture, sports, and education to foster mutual understanding. The cooperation documents signed during the summit include agreements supporting the expansion of such exchanges, covering areas like culture, sports, education, and employment.
Discussions on the Korean Peninsula and International Affairs; Continued Cooperation on Multilateral Stages
The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation regarding the Korean Peninsula and the international landscape. According to a Blue House briefing, President Lee congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term and expressed gratitude for Kyrgyzstan's support of South Korea's policy on the Korean Peninsula.
Acknowledging South Korea's status and contributions within the international community, President Japarov expressed his hope that peace and prosperity in the region would be promoted through efforts such as dialogue among the parties involved.
On the occasion of this summit, a total of 18 cooperation documents—including agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)—were signed between the relevant ministries and agencies of the two countries. Cooperation spanned a wide range of areas, including urban and infrastructure development, trade and investment, intellectual property, critical minerals, livestock technology, disaster management, digital forest restoration, employment, culture and sports, public-private partnerships (PPPs), smart grids, and education.
This summit served as an opportunity to diversify cooperation between South Korea and Kyrgyzstan—moving beyond traditional development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges to encompass economic security and future industries such as trade and investment, critical minerals, urban infrastructure, and digital technology/AI. Key follow-up tasks will involve ensuring that initiatives—such as the establishment of a KOTRA trade center and a "Korea Desk" in Bishkek, cooperation on Halal certification, and infrastructure and smart grid projects—translate into tangible business activities and results that citizens can actually experience.
By Publisher-Chairman Lee Jon-young, Special Feature Editor Andy Hyun
