South Korea embraces Central Asian leaders, looking to boost regional clout

What the report says

South Korea is hosting its first presidential-level summit with the five Central Asian states — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan — in Seoul, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting, described by local media as historic, comes alongside bilateral talks between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and each of the visiting leaders. The stated goal is to put South Korea-Central Asia ties on a more durable footing and expand cooperation beyond occasional dialogue.

Al Jazeera reported that the summit is expected to focus on economic and strategic areas such as critical minerals, energy, digital technologies and transport. Analysts quoted in the article said both sides have practical reasons to deepen ties: Central Asian governments want investment, technology and more diversified partnerships, while South Korea is seeking to reduce supply-chain dependence and broaden access to resources. The report also noted South Korea’s K-Silk Road initiative, launched in 2024, which aims to support processing, manufacturing and technology partnerships rather than only raw-material imports.

The article added historical and cultural context for the relationship. It said South Korea has long had links to the region through the Koryo-saram community, descendants of Soviet Koreans relocated to Central Asia in the Stalin era. Since the Soviet collapse, Seoul has expanded cultural outreach through language centers, festivals and exchange programs. Al Jazeera said this soft-power presence, together with trade and labor programs, has helped South Korea build a more visible role in Central Asia at a time when the region is also engaging China, Russia, the European Union, Turkiye and Gulf states.