President Lee Expands Critical Minerals and Infrastructure Cooperation with Kyrgyzstan... KOTRA Trade Office to Open

KOTRA Trade Office to Open in Bishkek; "Korea Desk" Established Within State Investment Agency
Mutual Halal Certification Recognition... Expanding the Gateway for K-Food and K-Beauty into Central Asia
Cooperation in Infrastructure Including PPP

On the 16th, President Lee Jae-myung held a summit meeting with President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan and agreed to greatly expand substantive cooperation between the two countries, focusing on critical minerals, urban and infrastructure development, and trade and investment. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will open a trade office in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and a 'Korea Desk' will be set up at the National Investment Agency of Kyrgyzstan to support Korean companies' entry into Central Asia.

President Lee Jae-myung is welcoming Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan, who attended the 1st Korea-Central Asia Summit in 2026 held at a hotel in Seoul on the 16th. 2026.9.16 Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee met with President Japarov, who is visiting South Korea officially for the 1st Korea-Central Asia Summit, at the Blue House on the morning of the 16th. The two leaders discussed plans for developing bilateral relations, including the agreements mentioned above.

The two presidents agreed to elevate their existing 'Korea-Kyrgyzstan Comprehensive Partnership' to a higher level. They also decided to expand collaboration areas, including trade and investment, critical minerals, urban and infrastructure development, development cooperation, food security, public administration, public safety and disaster response, artificial intelligence (AI), climate and environment, culture, and education.

In economic cooperation, emphasis was placed on establishing local support networks for Korean companies. Both countries noted the recent rapid growth in bilateral trade and agreed to establish a new KOTRA trade office in Bishkek. In addition, a 'Korea Desk' will be established within the National Investment Agency under the President of Kyrgyzstan, dedicated to supporting Korean companies’ local investments and resolving challenges they face.

Cooperation in the customs sector will also be expanded to enhance the transparency and predictability of clearance procedures and to strengthen the foundation for intellectual property protection. Notably, the two sides agreed to pursue mutual recognition of halal certification, thereby laying the groundwork for K-food and K-beauty companies to use Kyrgyzstan as a bridgehead for entering the Central Asian market.

Infrastructure is another key area of mutual interest. President Lee emphasized that demand for urban, transport, and energy infrastructure is continuously increasing in line with Kyrgyzstan's rapidly growing economy, and described it as a representative area where mutually beneficial cooperation is possible.

Accordingly, the two countries agreed to establish a foundation for cooperation in urban planning and infrastructure development, as well as in public-private partnership (PPP) and smart grid sectors. By combining Korea's experience in urban development and infrastructure construction with Kyrgyzstan's development needs, they plan to expand opportunities for Korean companies to participate in local projects.

As supply chain security becomes increasingly important, cooperation on critical minerals was also included on the summit agenda. The two presidents agreed to leverage Kyrgyzstan’s mineral resources and Korea’s technological and industrial capabilities—the complementary strengths of both countries—to identify promising cooperative projects.

In the areas of healthcare, food security, and public administration—fields of development cooperation—the two leaders agreed to add new projects that would support Kyrgyzstan’s national development, based on the successes of existing initiatives. They also agreed to strengthen investigative cooperation and police training to address transnational crimes, and to share experience and expertise in disaster response policies and on-the-ground measures.

The leaders also agreed to seek opportunities for cooperation in future industries, including AI. They will collaborate on addressing transboundary environmental issues and the climate crisis in Central Asia, while also expanding exchanges in culture, sports, and education.

The two presidents also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the international situation. President Lee congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term and expressed gratitude for Kyrgyzstan's ongoing support for Korea’s Korean Peninsula policy. President Japarov stated that he hopes for peace and prosperity in the region through dialogue between the parties concerned.

President Lee Jae-myung and President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan are holding a summit meeting at the Blue House on the 16th. September 16, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

Before the summit, both leaders emphasized that bilateral relations have returned to normal after overcoming political challenges. President Lee recalled that the first official visit of President Japarov to Korea in December 2024 experienced some scheduling difficulties due to domestic political circumstances, and commented, "It is meaningful to welcome you again now that the Republic of Korea has restored constitutional order through the people's aspiration and courage for democracy."

President Japarov expressed his trust in Korea’s democracy and dynamic development, saying, "Kyrgyzstan attaches particular importance to cooperation with Korea and is ready to further develop this relationship."

On the occasion of this summit, a total of 18 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed between the relevant ministries and agencies of the two countries. The Blue House stated, "These will provide an institutional foundation to expand trade and investment, support local entry for Korean companies, and promote substantive cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. We will continue follow-up consultations with the Kyrgyz government to ensure these lead to tangible results that the public can feel."

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