On June 7, 2024, the South Korean Presidential Office announced that President Yoon Suk-yeol will pay a state visit to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this week to strengthen trade ties with Central Asian countries. Kim Tae-hyo, an official of the Presidential National Security Office, said that “South Korea will work to integrate its innovation capability with the economic development potential of Central Asian countries on the basis of trust and solidarity”.[1]
Kim also said that Yoon will discuss with the leaders of the three countries ways to enhance bilateral partnerships in energy and chemical plant construction, health care, education, and critical minerals procurement. In line with these visits, South Korea plans to launch a six-nation summit with the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan next year, with South Korea hosting the first group of meetings.[2]
President Yoon’s visit is seen as part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing multilateral relations with Central Asia, a region home to a significant Korean diaspora known as the “Korea-Central Asia K-Silkroad” or “K-Silkroad”. The initiative reflects South Korea’s expanding diplomatic footprint, following Yoon’s recent summits with leaders from Pacific Island countries and African nations. As part of its new diplomatic strategy for the region, K-Silkroad will establish a summit with five Central Asian countries, the first meeting of which will be held in Seoul next year. Accordingly, Yoon will make a strategic visit to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are rich in natural resources and have the potential for economic growth.
Kim said the summit would be the latest in the Yoon government’s efforts to broaden its diplomatic front, following last year’s Korea-Pacific Islands Summit and the Korea-Africa Summit earlier this month. The summit is being pursued as part of K-Silkroad, which aims to create a new platform for partnerships between Korea and Central Asian countries. According to Kim, it includes a plan to take Korea’s partnerships with the Central Asian region a step further.
The new initiative aims to ensure that Korea and Central Asia develop together in a free, peaceful and prosperous manner. The initiative has four main pillars of partnership: (i) resources, (ii) official development assistance, (iii) cultural, and (iv) people-to-people exchanges and networking at the government-private sector level. In line with these pillars, Korea will focus on customized cooperation in specific areas with each of the five countries. For example, Korea plans to focus on energy and infrastructure cooperation with Kazakhstan, water resources and tourism partnerships with Kyrgyzstan, and power plant partnerships with Turkmenistan.[3]
The initiative is in line with the growing strategic importance of the region, which has rich reserves of natural gas and key minerals such as uranium, lithium and tungsten. This is why the United States (US), the European Union (EU) and Germany have been organizing the 5+1 summit since 2022, while Russia and China are deepening their engagement with the region.[4] The region seems open to new energy-related competitions. Moreover, Central Asia has a young and dynamic demographic structure and growth potential. Global powers such as the US and China are trying to strengthen their relations with the region. However, it is observed that Central Asian countries feel pressure to receive investment and support. Therefore, Korea’s approach has the potential to be welcomed by these countries. Their desire to partner with Korea on issues such as infrastructure, industrial development, climate and digital efforts makes this partnership meaningful.
Therefore, in order to implement this initiative, Yoon is paying state visits to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from June 10-15, 2024. According to the program, on June 10, Yoon held a summit with the President of Turkmenistan, Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedov. On June 11, he will attend a business forum with the participation of companies from the two countries, after which he will go to Kazakhstan. On June 12, Yoon will hold a summit with President Kassym Jömert Tokayev. The leaders also plan to attend a business forum for companies from both countries. Yoon will arrive in Uzbekistan on June 13 and on June 14 will hold a summit with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and participate in a business forum.[5]
An important question mark is how Korea will balance with other major actors in the region (the US, China, Russia). These countries seek to exert influence over the region in line with their own strategic and economic interests. How Korea will navigate in this competitive environment and whether it will pursue an independent line is an issue that needs to be carefully monitored. It is also critical for Korea to develop sustainable and mutually beneficial projects in its relations with Central Asian countries. Planning investments and development assistance to directly benefit the people of the region will be decisive for Korea’s reputation and long-term cooperation in these countries.
In conclusion, Korea’s relations with Central Asia is a complex process that needs to be carefully managed given the geopolitical and economic dynamics in the region. Success depends on pursuing a multifaceted and comprehensive strategy that is not limited only to economic interests but also contributes to the sustainable development of the region. In this context, it will be necessary to closely monitor the consequences of Korea’s actions and its interaction with other actors in the region.
[1] Yoon on state visit to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan next week, The Korea Herald, https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240607050517, ((Date of Access: 07.06.2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Korea announces ‘K-Silk Road’ regional strategy for Central Asia, The Korea Times, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/06/120_376180.html, ((Date of Access: 07.06.2024).
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
