Governor Kim Tae-heum Pioneers 'Chungnam's Path' in Central Asia

Visiting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Cooperate on Various Current Issues

Governor Kim Tae-heum, who embarked on a trip to Central Asia to expand local diplomacy, has pioneered the 'Chungnam Road' and returned home.

From the 2nd to the 8th, Governor Kim visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia to establish a foothold for expanding the market for K-products and to pave the way for enhanced cooperation with the Korean diaspora community.

In Kazakhstan, he held an export consultation meeting with the Chungnam Overseas Market Development Team, promoting the excellence of locally produced seaweed and red ginseng. As a result of export consultations with local buyers, seven export MOUs worth $650,000 were signed.

He also joined hands with Shin Andrei, chairman of Shin Line Group, the largest ice cream company in Central Asia, requesting support for the entry of Chungnam agricultural products into Central Asia.

In Uzbekistan, he met with Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Minister Kongratbai Sharipov, Minister of Youth and Sports Adkham Ilhamovich Ikramov, and Governor Bozarov Khairulla of Fergana Province to agree on cooperation in various issues including economy, culture, and education.

In particular, Governor Kim proposed institutional improvements to attract foreigners and requested active support for Uzbek university students studying in Chungnam.

The province emphasized that it will establish a Foreigners Attraction Center to support international students in staying stably in Chungnam.

During their studies, a work-study dual system linked to employment for international students will be operated, and after graduation, a regional specialized visa project will be promoted to allow visa conversion from student visas to residence visas for extended stay.

Governor Kim stated, "Thanks to a long history and high educational enthusiasm, South Korea, which experienced war, was able to rise from the world's poorest country to the ranks of advanced nations," and promised, "We will create an environment where students studying in Korea can do so without financial support from their parents."

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