Kazakhstan President's State Visit to Korea... Liberation Day, General Hong Beom-do's Remains Repatriation (Summary)

Official State Visit Invited by President Moon on 16-17th... Repatriation of General Hong Beom-do's Remains, Dispatch of Kazakh Special Envoy Delegation

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, will make a state visit to South Korea on the 16th and 17th at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in. Along with the Kazakh president's visit, the remains of General Hong Beom-do will be repatriated.

Park Kyung-mi, spokesperson for the Blue House, stated on the 12th, "Kazakhstan is our largest trading partner and investment destination in Central Asia, and a key partner in implementing the New Northern Policy." She added, "President Moon will hold a summit with President Tokayev on the morning of the 17th and host a dinner on the same day."

This visit marks the first by a Kazakh president in five years since President Nazarbayev in 2016, and the first visit since President Tokayev took office.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon will hold his second summit with President Tokayev, following their first meeting during Moon's state visit to Kazakhstan in April 2019.

Spokesperson Park said, "President Moon plans to review the outcomes of follow-up cooperation projects initiated after their first summit and discuss ways to expand practical cooperation in various fields such as transportation, infrastructure, construction, ICT, health, and environment."

She added, "In anticipation of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, President Moon will discuss ways to enhance cultural and human exchanges between the two countries and explore measures to strengthen cooperation on regional and international stages. This will serve as an opportunity to further solidify the strategic partnership between South Korea and Kazakhstan ahead of the 30th anniversary."

Meanwhile, in connection with President Tokayev's visit, the remains of General Hong Beom-do, who is buried in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan, will be brought back to South Korea.

Spokesperson Park explained, "To facilitate the repatriation, President Moon will dispatch a special envoy delegation to Kazakhstan on the 14th, led by Hwang Ki-chul, head of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. The delegation will include Woo Won-sik, chairman of the Yeocheon Hong Beom-do General Memorial Association, and actor Jo Jin-woong, representing the people."

She added, "General Hong Beom-do's remains will arrive in South Korea on the evening of the 15th with the highest honors, followed by a two-day national mourning period on the 16th and 17th, and will be interred at Daejeon National Cemetery on the 18th."

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