President Lee: "Uzbekistan Is Korea's Only 'Special Strategic Partner' in Central Asia"... Expanding Cooperation on Critical Minerals and AI

Strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership
Expanding Cooperation into Infrastructure, Healthcare, and Defense Industry

Uzbek President: "A Relationship Unshaken by Political Fluctuations"
"Support for Efforts Toward Peace on the Kore

On September 14, President Lee Jae-myung held a summit with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, agreeing to expand bilateral cooperation into future strategic sectors such as critical mineral supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI), digital industries, and defense. This initiative aims to broaden cooperation with Uzbekistan—the only Central Asian country with a “special strategic partnership” with Korea—from existing areas like transportation, infrastructure, and healthcare, to advanced industries and economic security.

President Lee Jae-myung and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan are holding an extended summit at the Blue House on September 14, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

During his opening remarks at the Korea-Uzbekistan expanded summit at the Blue House in the afternoon, President Lee stated, “By forging new momentum for mutually beneficial cooperation across transportation infrastructure, healthcare, climate crisis response, the critical minerals supply chain, AI and digital fields, and defense industries, I believe we can together create drivers for future growth.”

He continued, “Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, Korea and Uzbekistan have built a robust partnership across various spheres, including politics, the economy, society, and culture. Especially as the only special strategic partner in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is an invaluable friend and a key partner for the Republic of Korea.”

President Lee added, “With the deep friendship and trust built up between our two countries, I hope we can further strengthen our special strategic partnership and together take strides toward joint prosperity and peace.”

President Lee also pointed to people-to-people and cultural ties—including the Koryoin ethnic Korean diaspora—as another pillar of bilateral relations. “Uzbekistan is a uniquely special country for our people, as it is home to some 200,000 Koryoin compatriots. The Korean people will always be grateful to the citizens of Uzbekistan for warmly embracing our compatriots during difficult times,” he said. “We will broaden the scope of people-to-people and cultural exchanges so that our precious historical ties yield even greater fruit.”

Amid a climate of growing international uncertainty, President Lee also stressed the need for strategic cooperation between the two countries. “As Korea and Uzbekistan share friendship and trust, the role of both nations has only become more important. Our cooperation will be a powerful force for peace and stability in both Eurasia and the Korean Peninsula,” he said.

He especially thanked Uzbekistan for its steadfast support for Korean Peninsula peace, stating, “We are grateful for Uzbekistan’s unwavering backing for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and I look forward to working together to build a path toward lasting peace.”

President Lee Jae-myung and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev shake hands ahead of the expanded summit at the Blue House on September 14, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

President Mirziyoyev also emphasized the stability and strategic importance of the bilateral relationship. He said, “Throughout the 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Korea has been a genuine friend and reliable partner for Uzbekistan. Thanks to our joint efforts, our ties have developed into a special strategic partnership.”

He added, “As history shows, our relationship has never wavered in the face of political fluctuations, and we have consistently maintained an equal, mutually beneficial, and amicable partnership. I hope that this visit to Seoul will infuse new energy into our special strategic partnership.”

On economic cooperation, President Mirziyoyev highlighted that Korea is one of Uzbekistan’s major trading partners. “There are more than 700 Korean companies operating in Uzbekistan through joint ventures, and Korea’s investments continue to expand. Korea’s experience and technology are being widely shared in e-government, education, IT, agriculture, and healthcare, as well as across many industries,” he said.

President Mirziyoyev also expressed his anticipation for President Lee’s economic policies. “We are watching with great interest your policy vision to build an economy centered on AI and to develop Korea into a leading high-tech hub of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he said, adding that he believes President Lee’s “3·4·5 Economic Vision”—which targets 3% potential growth, world top 4 export ranking, and $50,000 per capita income—will surely be achieved in the near future.

On issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, he reaffirmed that “Uzbekistan will continue to support the Korean government’s efforts to consolidate peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.”

This summit took place ahead of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit on September 16 in Seoul. President Lee aims to leverage bilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan to expand practical partnerships with Central Asia in areas such as critical minerals supply chains, advanced technology, energy, and infrastructure.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.