SEOUL, July 25 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke by phone on Wednesday, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening ties across trade, culture, and development.
According to a statement released by the Kazakhstan Embassy in Seoul, the two leaders discussed a broad range of cooperation areas, including ongoing and potential joint projects in energy, the automotive industry, education, and medicine.
"During the phone conversation, the presidents of Kazakhstan and Korea confirmed their desire to further strengthen multifaceted relations between the two countries," the embassy said. "They thoroughly exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral cooperation."
Lee invited Tokayev to make an official visit to South Korea. Tokayev accepted and also confirmed his participation in the C5+K Summit, which will take place in Seoul in 2026.
Diplomatic relations between South Korea and Kazakhstan were established in January 1992, shortly after Kazakhstan gained independence in December 1991. A key link between the two countries is the ethnic Korean community in Kazakhstan, known as Koryo-saram, which numbers more than 120,000.
High-level visits have continued to support the relationship. Tokayev visited South Korea in August 2021, while former President Yoon Suk Yeol traveled to Astana in June 2024. Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, visited South Korea five times between 1995 and 2016.
Trade and investment form a central part of the partnership. Bilateral trade reached around USD 6 billion in 2023, with Kazakhstan exporting approximately USD 3.8 billion in goods to South Korea and importing USD 2.2 billion. In 2024, the total trade volume stood at USD 3.1 billion. Key exports from Kazakhstan include crude oil, metals, and steel. South Korea mainly exports automobiles, electronics, and machinery.
South Korea ranks as Kazakhstan's fifth-largest investor and fourth-largest trading partner. Korean investment in Kazakhstan has reached close to USD 9.6 billion since the mid-2000s.
Cultural exchange remains strong. The Korean Theatre of Kazakhstan in Almaty, founded in 1932, is the oldest Korean-language theater troupe in the world and remains active. Gangnam University in South Korea has offered Kazakh language and culture programs since 2006.
Tourism has grown steadily. In 2023, the number of South Korean visitors to Kazakhstan rose by 125 percent. Flight connectivity also expanded in 2024, with weekly flights between Seoul and Almaty increasing from 10 to 42. Air Astana launched direct flights between Astana and Seoul.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
