▲ President Lee Jae-myung poses for a commemorative photo on September 16 with leaders attending the 1st Korea-Central Asia Summit in 2026. From left: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President Lee, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow
President Lee Jae-myung and the leaders of five Central Asian nations adopted the "Seoul Declaration" as the outcome of the first Korea-Central Asia Summit.
The presidential office evaluated the summit as a "historic starting point opening a new 30 years based on friendship and trust over the past 30-plus years," adding that it will "serve as a turning point to expand the horizon of our diplomacy into Eurasia."
In the "Seoul Declaration," President Lee and the five Central Asian leaders stated, "Amid a complex and fluidly changing international situation, there is a need to strengthen cooperation between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea," adding, "This summit marks an important milestone that elevates cooperation to a new level."
They also agreed to work toward improving relations centered on four main themes: (1) institutionalizing the Korea-Central Asia partnership, (2) moving together toward peace and stability, (3) pursuing a future toward innovation and prosperity, and (4) connecting through people and trust.
In particular, regarding the "institutionalization of the partnership," President Lee and the leaders agreed to hold the Korea-Central Asia Summit regularly every two years and to monitor the implementation of outcomes through a ministerial cooperation forum.
Accordingly, the second summit will be held in Kazakhstan two years later, in 2028.
In the field of "peace and security cooperation," the leaders included phrasing in the declaration that "reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace."
The declaration also included that they "support the Republic of Korea's efforts to resume inter-Korean dialogue through preemptive tension reduction and confidence-building measures, under the goal of achieving peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity on the Korean Peninsula through expanded inter-Korean exchanges, normalization of relations, and phased denuclearization."
The leaders also emphasized that "the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone is important in strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime as well as regional cooperation and security."
In the area of "innovation and prosperity," the leaders agreed to establish dedicated support desks for Korean companies within each government to facilitate trade, promote investment, and help improve the business environment.
They also agreed on the importance of cooperating in urban development, production facilities, and infrastructure construction.
Regarding critical minerals cooperation, they shared the view that "critical minerals in Central Asia can play an important role in strengthening economic security and realizing supply chain diversification for both the Republic of Korea and Central Asia," and agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges centered on this field.
The declaration was joined by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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