Korea welcomes Central Asia's leaders
Summary
The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Seoul on Wednesday for the first Korea-Central Asia Summit. The summit lifted their partnership, which began with diplomatic ties in 1992, to its highest level. It is focused on trade, supply chains, digital innovation and people-to-people exchanges under the slogan Walking Together Toward the Future: Partnership for Trust and Prosperity.
Key Facts
- Kazakhstan had a trade volume with Korea of $4.36 billion in 2025, with exports to Kazakhstan at $3 billion and imports from Kazakhstan at $1.36 billion.
- Uzbekistan had a trade volume with Korea of $1.81 billion in 2025, with exports to Uzbekistan at $1.79 billion and imports from Uzbekistan at $22 million.
- Kyrgyzstan had a trade volume with Korea of $3.48 billion in 2025, with exports to Kyrgyzstan at $3.48 billion and imports from Kyrgyzstan at $3.22 million.
The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Seoul on Wednesday for the first Korea-Central Asia Summit, elevating their partnership that began with the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992 to the highest level.
Held under the slogan "Walking Together Toward the Future: Partnership for Trust and Prosperity," the summit aims to chart a shared path forward in trade, supply chains, digital innovation and people-to-people exchanges, opening a new chapter built on three decades of cooperation.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Central Asia's largest economy and major energy producer
Capital: Astana
Population: 20.59 million (ethnic Korean population: 122,554)
President: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Establishment of diplomatic relations with Korea: Jan. 28, 1992
Trade volume: $4.36 billion (2025)
Exports to Kazakhstan: $3 billion
Imports from Kazakhstan: $1.36 billion
Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov
Kyrgyz Republic
Mountainous terrain with significant water resources and gold production
Capital: Bishkek
Population: 7.37 million (ethnic Korean population: 18,434)
President: Sadyr Japarov
Establishment of diplomatic relations with Korea: Jan. 31, 1992
Trade volume: $3.48 billion (2025)
Exports to Kyrgyzstan: $3.48 billion
Imports from Kyrgyzstan: $3.22 million
Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon
Tajikistan
Geopolitically strategic, with gold reserves and hydroelectric power
Capital: Dushanbe
Population: 10.53 million (ethnic Korean population: 342)
President: Emomali Rahmon
Establishment of diplomatic relations with Korea: April 27, 1992
Trade volume: $354 million (2025)
Exports to Tajikistan: $353.7 million
Imports from Tajikistan: $80,000
Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov
Turkmenistan
Holds vast natural gas reserves and operates the Karakum Canal, one of the world's largest irrigation waterways
Capital: Ashgabat
Population: 6.75 million (ethnic Korean population: 1,167)
President: Serdar Berdimuhamedov
Establishment of diplomatic relations with Korea: Feb. 7, 1992
Trade volume: $45 million (2025)
Exports to Turkmenistan: $45 million
Imports from Turkmenistan: $30,000
Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Uzbekistan
Central Asia's most populous nation, with significant oil and gas reserves
Capital: Tashkent
Population: 38.94 million (ethnic Korean population: 175,338)
President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Establishment of diplomatic relations with Korea: Jan. 29, 1992
Trade volume: $1.81 billion (2025)
Exports to Uzbekistan: $1.79 billion
Imports from Uzbekistan: $22 million
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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