Yoon: "Will Develop a Future-Oriented Special Strategic Partnership with Uzbekistan"

Joint Press Release After Summit Meeting
First Export of Korean High-Speed Train Cars to Uzbekistan 'Great Achievement'

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Uzbekistan, is smiling and shaking hands with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev after a joint press conference between Korea and Uzbekistan at the Presidential Palace Guesthouse in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the 14th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

During his state visit to Uzbekistan, President Yoon held a summit meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the capital city of Tashkent on the 14th (local time) and stated, "We have agreed to develop the special strategic partnership between the two countries in a future-oriented manner."

After the summit meeting with President Mirziyoyoyev, President Yoon said in a joint press statement, "We have decided to further expand cooperation in the infrastructure sector, which has long been a core area of collaboration between our two countries." The two leaders held their second summit today, following their meeting in New York last September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

President Yoon emphasized, "Today, a contract for the export of high-speed rail vehicles to Uzbekistan was signed. This is the first export case of high-speed rail vehicles developed with our technology, contributing to the improvement of Uzbekistan's railway infrastructure and leading to expanded cooperation in the railway sector between the two countries, including high-speed rail operations."

First Export of KTX to Uzbekistan Worth 270 Billion KRW

Prior to the joint press announcement, Hyundai Rotem and Uzbekistan Railways signed a 'High-Speed Rail 6-Trainset Supply Contract' in the presence of the two presidents. The contract, worth 270 billion KRW, involves supplying a total of 42 cars consisting of 7-car high-speed trains capable of speeds up to 250 km/h to Uzbekistan. This marks the first export of high-speed trains developed with Korean technology abroad, 20 years after the launch of the KTX in 2004.

Additionally, by signing the 'Uzbekistan District Heating Modernization Cooperation Agreement,' the foundation for bilateral cooperation related to district heating infrastructure was strengthened. President Yoon requested President Mirziyoyoyev's continued interest so that Korean companies can participate in national projects in Uzbekistan such as highways and water supply, creating many exemplary cases of infrastructure cooperation following the 'Surgil Gas Chemical Plant Project.'

The two countries also agreed to maximize synergy in supply chain cooperation by combining Uzbekistan's abundant mineral resources with Korea's advanced technology. President Yoon stated, "We signed a 'Core Mineral Supply Chain Cooperation Partnership Agreement' targeting minerals such as tungsten and molybdenum, and agreed to actively cooperate so that Korean companies can have priority participation when economic feasibility is confirmed."

Furthermore, the two sides agreed to jointly strive for mutually beneficial outcomes in the 'Rare Metals Center' project, which is developing refining technologies necessary for producing high-purity rare metal products.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan are exchanging documents after signing the Korea-Uzbekistan Joint Statement at the Presidential Palace Reception Hall in Tashkent on the 14th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Cooperation in the defense and defense industry sectors will also be expanded. President Yoon said, "Bilateral cooperation, which has so far focused on joint exercises, military medical technology, and military education, will be expanded to include information and communications, cyber, border security systems, aircraft, and other defense equipment sectors through joint efforts."

The two leaders celebrated the Uzbekistan National Children's Hospital, a model case of health care cooperation, for obtaining international certification, and welcomed the finalization of bilateral negotiations between Korea and Uzbekistan for Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), with signing taking place on this occasion.

President Yoon said, "The Republic of Korea, as the chair country of the Uzbekistan WTO accession working group, will actively support Uzbekistan's prompt accession to the WTO."

Both countries agreed on the importance of improving public administration services and enhancing the capabilities of public officials. President Yoon said, "The Uzbekistan government has shown great interest in our government's public official training and public personnel administration cooperation. Taking this visit as an opportunity, the two countries adopted a 'Cooperation Plan for Strengthening the Capacity of the Uzbekistan Government' and agreed to proceed with related cooperation closely."

"Leaping into the Future Together with Brother Nation Uzbekistan"

Additionally, the two leaders discussed recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to continue participating in international efforts for North Korea's denuclearization. President Yoon expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan's consistent support of Korea's North Korea policy as a leader in non-proliferation.

President Yoon provided a detailed explanation of the Korean government's first Central Asia strategy, the 'K-Silk Road Cooperation Initiative.' He said, "I would like to once again thank President Mirziyoyoyev for his full support of our initiative and the plan to hold the 'Korea-Central Asia Summit' next year. Based on this cooperation initiative, the Republic of Korea will leap into the future together with Uzbekistan, the brother nation that warmly embraced the Koryoin compatriots 87 years ago."

He added, "Our government will faithfully implement the cooperation measures agreed upon today with President Mirziyoyoyev and further develop our 'special strategic partnership.'"

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