Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | The Republic of Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan are coming closer and closer to each other thanls to the special interest shared by President Lee Jae-Myung of the Republic of Korea and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the promotion of relations, cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

On September 14 this year, President Lee Jae-myung held a summit meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan at the Presidential Mansion of Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) in Seoul.
President Mirziyoyev was visiting Seoul in an official state visit.

At the meeting, the two leaders discussed future-oriented cooperation measures to elevate the two nations' "Special Strategic Partnership" to the next higher level.

This summit meeting took place during President Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Korea, which was arranged in conjunction with the launching of the Korea-Central Asia Summit.

The two leaders reviewed the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties and agreed to expand cooperation into areas such as transportation and logistics infrastructure, the defense industry, critical minerals, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, the environment, tourism, and education.
President Lee noted that the two countries have cooperated closely across various sectors and steadily broadened the horizons of their relationship since establishing diplomatic ties.

President Mirziyoyev also assessed the relationship between Korea and Uzbekistan as the closest and most exemplary partnership in Central Asia, expressing his commitment to further strengthening the momentum of this cooperation.

At the summit meeting, Korea and Uzbekistan agreed to:
--Expand cooperation in critical minerals, AI, and the defense industry
--Launch "Korea Desk" and Business Council to boost the market entry of the Korean businesses to Uzbekistan
--Exchange of 13 agreements and MOUs covering health, environment, tourism, and education

Korea recognized the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 30, 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries were established on January 29, 1992.
According to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Korean diplomatic sources, Korea and Uzbekstan are two very special countries to each other with many areas for increased win-win coopertion for

each other. The following are exerpts from their views:

The Republic of Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan are two very important countries to each other.
Located in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a nation with centuries of history and Silk Road traditions. Home to approximately 180,000 ethnic Koreans, Uzbekistan is a traditionally friendly country who shares many historical and cultural similarities with Korea.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, Korea and Uzbekistan have developed a dynamic partnership across various sectors, including politics, the economy, society, culture, and science and technology.
The mutual trust built through 21 high-level visits has laid a solid foundation for a close, family-like relationship between the two nations—a bond that has garnered global acclaim.

Moving forward, Korea will continue to advance the "Special Strategic Partnership" between the two countries in promising sectors, guided by national interests and practical effectiveness, while striving to achieve tangible results that the people of both nations can truly experience.

Economic ties between the two countries are growing day by day, expanding from traditional sectors—such as gas and power, energy, infrastructure, automotive manufacturing, textiles, logistics, and finance—into emerging fields like information and communication technology (ICT), 5G, rare earth elements, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, the bio-industry, airports, and high-speed rail.

The number of Korean companies operating in Uzbekistan is also steadily increasing. Furthermore, the two nations are currently expanding cooperation in areas such as supply chains, national defense, climate change, and education.

By Publisher-Chairman Lee Jon-Young, Special Feature Editor/Honorry Chairman Lee Kyung-Sik