Yoon: "Upgrade South Korea-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership"... Summit Meeting Today (Comprehensive)

Introduction of K-Silk Road Cooperation Plan to Overseas Koreans
At the Meeting, "Concrete Cooperation on Critical Mineral Supply Chains"

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Kazakhstan, delivered an encouragement speech at a meeting with ethnic Koreans and overseas Koreans invited at a hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the 11th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

During his state visit to Kazakhstan, President Yoon Suk-yeol stated, "On the 12th (local time), at the summit meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, we will seek concrete cooperation measures to upgrade the Korea-Kazakhstan strategic partnership."

President Yoon, along with First Lady Kim Keon-hee, attended a dinner and meeting on the evening of the 11th in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, inviting about 120 local Koreans. He said, "In the midst of the recent global complex crisis, Kazakhstan is an indispensable important partner for us, who aim to be a global pivotal country."

Introducing the 'Korea-Central Asia K Silk Road Cooperation Initiative,' the Korean government's first diplomatic strategy targeting Central Asia, President Yoon said, "Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, our companies and citizens have entered Kazakhstan, leading the enhancement of exchanges between the two countries," expressing deep gratitude for the role the diaspora has played as a bridge connecting the two nations.

He continued, "Going forward, we will further strengthen the bonds between diaspora communities across regions including Central Asia and the homeland, and actively support the development of diaspora communities," emphasizing, "We will promote increased communication between Central Asian Koryo-saram organizations and domestic Koryo-saram groups, establish networks between Kazakhstani diaspora enterprises and domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, and expand motherland invitation training programs for the next generation of Koryo-saram."

Yoon: "Korea-Kazakhstan Energy and Mineral Cooperation Must Continue"

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, on a state visit to Kazakhstan, attended a meeting with ethnic Korean compatriots and overseas Koreans at a hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the 11th (local time). After watching a cultural performance by an ethnic Korean youth dance troupe, they took a commemorative photo. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kang Byung-gu, president of the Kazakhstan Korean Association, said in his welcoming remarks, "About 1,500 Korean residents are active in various fields in Kazakhstan, and more than 120,000 Koryo-saram live here," adding, "The Ministry of Overseas Koreans was launched in June last year, improving the rights and interests of the diaspora."

Choi Jong-su, president of the Astana Economic Association, said, "We hope more Korean companies will enter and strengthen cooperation between the two countries," and requested, "Please strengthen government support so that our companies can better understand the local market information and relevant regulations in Kazakhstan."

President Yoon said, "The geopolitical and geoeconomic significance of Central Asia is increasing," and urged, "For Korea and Central Asia to continue cooperation in energy, minerals, infrastructure, and digital culture, I ask the diaspora to lend their support."

President Yoon, currently touring three Central Asian countries, will hold a summit meeting with President Tokayev on this day to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

After laying a wreath at the 'Monument of Gratitude to the People of Kazakhstan,' President Yoon will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) containing measures to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries at the summit, and hold a joint press conference with President Tokayev. Kazakhstan, an oil-producing country and a resource-rich nation possessing key minerals such as uranium and chromium, is expected to concretize cooperation on key mineral supply chains during the summit.

Following the meeting, President Yoon will engage in friendly activities including a state banquet and a tour of the presidential palace with President Tokayev, and in the afternoon, he will attend the Korea-Kazakhstan Business Forum and a cultural performance event.

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