Korea and Kyrgyzstan to Expand Cooperation on Critical Minerals and Digital Transformation

Minister Kim Jungkwan Discusses Economic Cooperation with Kyrgyz Minister of Economy and Commerce
Consensus Reached on Cooperation in Critical Minerals Such as Antimony and Tungsten

On the 14th, the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation in Jongno-gu, Seoul, held the "K-Consumer Goods Export Supply Chain Strengthening Korea Trade Insurance Corporation and Woori Bank Financial Support Business Agreement Ceremony." Kim Jongkwan, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy, who attended the agreement ceremony, is giving a greeting. 2026.04.14 Photo by Yoon Dongju

South Korea and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, critical minerals, and official development assistance (ODA). The two countries confirmed the potential for collaboration on key minerals such as antimony and tungsten, and also agreed to strengthen development cooperation in the field of digital transformation (DX).

On May 21, Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, met with Bakyt Sydykov, Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, at the Government Complex Seoul to discuss current issues regarding bilateral economic cooperation.

Both sides highly praised the fact that bilateral trade volume reached a record high of 3.5 billion dollars in 2023, the largest since diplomatic relations were established in 1992. They also acknowledged the recent increasing trend in trade volume and reaffirmed the need to diversify trade items and expand mutually beneficial trade.

In the field of critical minerals, attention was drawn to Kyrgyzstan's possession of major mineral resources such as antimony and tungsten. The two countries recognized the need to cooperate on supply chains for critical minerals and agreed to continue discussions by sharing priority cooperation projects from a medium- to long-term perspective.

Outcomes in the field of development cooperation (ODA) were also shared. Since 2021, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has supported a technology guidance project for the Kyrgyz textile sector with 1.3 billion won over three years, and from this year, it is implementing a digital transformation (DX) technology guidance project worth 2.1 billion won over five years.

Both sides agreed that these ODA projects contribute to strengthening Kyrgyzstan's industrial capabilities and building a foundation for digital transformation.

Minister Kim stated, "Kyrgyzstan is an important partner for cooperation in trade, investment, critical minerals, and development cooperation," adding, "We hope that the Korea-Central Asia Summit to be held in Seoul this September will further accelerate economic cooperation between our two countries."

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