Ministry of Finance and Economy at the Government Complex Sejong. [Photo by Kim Yoo-jin]
The South Korean government is seeking to enhance economic cooperation with Central Asia by exploring collaboration in supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI), and renewable energy sectors.
On June 11, the Ministry of Finance and Economy announced that it held a meeting of economic cooperation experts with Central Asia, chaired by Deputy Minister Heo Chang, at the Government Complex in Seoul.
This meeting was organized in preparation for the upcoming 2026 Korea-Central Asia Summit scheduled for September, aiming to identify practical cooperation projects and expand economic ties with Central Asia, a key partner in the New Northern Policy.
Participants emphasized the region's significant potential as a logistics hub and its rich energy and mineral resources, advocating for strengthened supply chain cooperation. They agreed on the need to expand collaboration in future industries such as AI and digital transformation, renewable energy, biotechnology, and smart infrastructure, while providing tailored support for South Korean companies entering these markets.
Deputy Minister Heo stated, "We plan to actively incorporate the various policy proposals and cooperation ideas discussed today into future policy formulation and preparations for the summit. We will work to strengthen high-level cooperation channels, including the Korea-Uzbekistan vice ministerial meeting, and enhance the economic and financial cooperation foundation to elevate Korea-Central Asia collaboration to a new level."
He added, "This summit will be the first of its kind hosted by South Korea and Central Asian countries, and it will be the only multilateral summit held domestically this year, serving as a catalyst for advancing Korea-Central Asia economic cooperation."
On June 11, the Ministry of Finance and Economy announced that it held a meeting of economic cooperation experts with Central Asia, chaired by Deputy Minister Heo Chang, at the Government Complex in Seoul.
This meeting was organized in preparation for the upcoming 2026 Korea-Central Asia Summit scheduled for September, aiming to identify practical cooperation projects and expand economic ties with Central Asia, a key partner in the New Northern Policy.
Participants emphasized the region's significant potential as a logistics hub and its rich energy and mineral resources, advocating for strengthened supply chain cooperation. They agreed on the need to expand collaboration in future industries such as AI and digital transformation, renewable energy, biotechnology, and smart infrastructure, while providing tailored support for South Korean companies entering these markets.
Deputy Minister Heo stated, "We plan to actively incorporate the various policy proposals and cooperation ideas discussed today into future policy formulation and preparations for the summit. We will work to strengthen high-level cooperation channels, including the Korea-Uzbekistan vice ministerial meeting, and enhance the economic and financial cooperation foundation to elevate Korea-Central Asia collaboration to a new level."
He added, "This summit will be the first of its kind hosted by South Korea and Central Asian countries, and it will be the only multilateral summit held domestically this year, serving as a catalyst for advancing Korea-Central Asia economic cooperation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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