President Lee: "We Must Build a Critical Minerals Cooperation System with Central Asia ... A New Silk Road Will Open"

‘Korea-Central Asia Business Summit’ on the 16th

Lee: "Strengthening Cooperation Throughout the Entire Cycle of Critical Minerals"

President Lee Jae-myung stated on the 16th, addressing the leaders and businesspeople from five Central Asian countries, "We must establish a cooperative framework that encompasses both critical minerals and advanced manufacturing."

President Lee made this remark at the 'Korea-Central Asia Business Summit' held at a hotel in Seoul on this day. The event was attended by the leaders of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as business representatives from each nation. From the Korean side, a total of 130 participants attended, including Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a speech at the 1st Korea-Central Asia Business Summit held at a hotel in Seoul on September 16, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

President Lee noted, "As global supply chains are being restructured, Central Asia is emerging as a repository of critical minerals essential for the production of electric vehicles, batteries, and semiconductors," and analyzed, "If Central Asia’s abundant mineral resources such as lithium and uranium are combined with our battery and semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, we can lead the global market."

He further stated, "Beyond simply trading raw materials, we must enhance full-cycle cooperation in the field of critical minerals—from exploration and smelting to the processing of high value-added materials and the production of finished products." He promised, "Our government will help to add greater value to Central Asia’s resources by supporting joint research and development and nurturing skilled experts, leveraging the 'Rare Metals Centers' we are establishing at key local hubs."

President Lee also stressed, "We need to increase the variety of products exchanged and expand the scope of investments." He explained, "Currently, trade between Korea and Central Asia is concentrated in Korea’s exports of automobiles and components and imports of energy and raw materials from Central Asia." He continued, "Now, we must broaden the scope of trade beyond these items to include emerging industries such as consumer goods, biotechnology, and digital sectors."

President Lee affirmed, "Our government will spare no policy effort to help excellent Central Asian products gain a foothold in our market, by dispatching trade delegations to the region." He pledged, "We will swiftly establish a digital customs clearance system to lower non-tariff barriers and streamline procedures." He also mentioned that the planned Korea Desks to be set up in the five Central Asian countries will serve as a solution point for alleviating business difficulties.

Additionally, President Lee vowed, "We will become a reliable partner in building the infrastructure of the future together." He said, "Korean companies, with extensive construction experience and proven technologies, are the optimal partners for Central Asia’s infrastructure innovation." He added, "We must work together to build major arteries for transportation and energy, as well as tightly knit logistics networks across the vast continent, to unlock the full potential of Eurasia."

President Lee expressed confidence, stating, "If we walk this path together, the route from 1,500 years ago will be reopened as a new Silk Road." He concluded, "If the five countries gathered here and Korea combine their wisdom and join hands, there is nothing we cannot achieve together." He emphasized once again, "The Republic of Korea will firmly support your bold challenges so that they lead to tangible results."

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