South Korea and Central Asian Nations Launch Inaugural Strategic Summit in Seoul

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung hosted the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul on September 16, 2026, marking a significant shift in regional diplomacy. The event brought together the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to establish a new framework for long-term cooperation. This gathering represents the first time South Korea has held a multilateral summit of this scale with the five Central Asian nations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992. The summit resulted in the adoption of the Seoul Declaration, which outlines a vision for a future-oriented strategic partnership over the next three decades. Leaders agreed to institutionalize their cooperation by holding summit-level meetings every two years. In the intervening years, the existing Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum will continue to function at the ministerial level to review progress and set new agendas. Economic security served as a primary focus of the discussions, with a particular emphasis on supply chain resilience. The participating nations launched an industrial ministers’ consultative body to identify and implement concrete projects. This move aims to move beyond individual, project-based cooperation toward a broader, more integrated regional strategy. During the business portion of the summit, 19 memorandums of understanding were signed between South Korean firms and their Central Asian counterparts. These agreements cover diverse sectors including critical minerals, smart city development, industrial plants, and digital technology. Major Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, and Posco participated in the event to explore new market opportunities. President Lee emphasized the importance of the Silk Road spirit in connecting the technologies and cultures of the East and West. He stated that the foundation of cooperation built over the past thirty years provides a strong base for future growth. The president reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting business partnerships that foster shared prosperity. Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev joined Lee for the proceedings. Each leader highlighted the strategic nature of their respective countries' resources and the potential for deeper integration with the Korean economy. The discussions also touched upon the need for exchanges of skilled personnel to support industrial development. Specific bilateral agreements were also reached on the sidelines of the main event. For instance, South Korea and Turkmenistan signed an investment protection agreement to encourage further capital flow. Meanwhile, South Korea and Kazakhstan agreed to elevate their ties, with a focus on boosting cooperation in crude oil and nuclear power sectors. Diplomatic observers noted that the summit serves as a turning point for South Korea to expand its diplomatic outreach into Eurasia. By creating a regional framework, Seoul aims to strengthen its influence and secure access to vital resources. This institutional upgrade is expected to help the C5 nations diversify their economic partnerships amid shifting global dynamics. Central Asian leaders expressed hope that the new partnership would lead to tangible economic development. They pointed to the potential for synergies in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and transport corridors. These areas are seen as essential for the region's goal of modernizing its infrastructure and becoming more competitive in the global market. Looking ahead, Kazakhstan is scheduled to host the second summit in Astana in 2028. The intervening period will be used to monitor the implementation of the newly signed agreements and to refine the strategic goals set out in the Seoul Declaration. This ongoing dialogue is intended to ensure that the partnership remains responsive to the evolving needs of all six nations.