South Korea, Uzbekistan discuss closer economic ties amid global challenges
South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan met with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov in Seoul to discuss strengthening bilateral trade ties against the backdrop of geopolitical volatility and supply chain reconfiguration, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Kim and Kudratov reiterated their commitment to cooperation in trade, investment, AI and fostering a more favorable business environment. South Korea’s minister also called for continued efforts to improve the business environment for Korean companies operating in Uzbekistan.
The meeting comes ahead of the first Korea-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for Sept. 16–17, 2026, bringing together Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan on a dialogue platform expected to advance initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development, stability and prosperity across the region.
Earlier this month, a representative of the same ministry — South Korea’s Director General for International Trade Relations Bae Jun-hyoung — visited Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, for talks with Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce Mederbek Tumanov.
In May, Uzbekistan Railways officially launched South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem high-speed trains, marking South Korea’s first export of domestically developed high-speed trains.
