President Lee Jae-myung held a summit with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the 15th and stressed that "Kazakhstan is an important cooperation partner for South Korea's economic security."
Speaking at the summit with Tokayev at the Presidential Office, Lee said the two countries would "elevate bilateral relations to a future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership on the occasion of this summit." He first expressed gratitude, saying, "Five years ago, with your active cooperation, the remains of General Hong Beom-do, a hero of South Korea's independence, were repatriated, and trust between the two sides deepened."
Lee noted that "the international community is living through an era of multiple crises in which geopolitical conflict, supply chain realignment, transnational crime, energy security and instability are unfolding in combination." He added that "in this situation, having partners that can be trusted in the international community has become more important than ever in order to raise resilience to external shocks and secure a foundation for sustainable growth."
He also said the two countries "have similar diplomatic orientations in that both expand the scope of external cooperation and pursue pragmatic diplomacy that values national interest and tangible results." Lee stressed that "Kazakhstan is not only a country rich in energy and resources but also holds great potential in future advanced industries, making it an important cooperation partner in South Korea's economic security." He continued that "South Korea is also a capable partner that can contribute to upgrading Kazakhstan's industrial technology through advanced manufacturing and digital technology." Lee added that he hoped "the two countries will strengthen cooperation amid an uncertain international landscape, connect each other's strengths and potential, and discover new opportunities for mutually beneficial shared growth."
In response, Tokayev said, "Kazakhstan and South Korea are strategic partners." He said, "We consider South Korea a country with high dignity and standing internationally," adding that "the whole world recognizes and acknowledges South Korea's great achievements in the fields of economy, science and technology."
He also said South Korea "has invested $12 billion in Kazakhstan's economy, and leading South Korean companies have entered Kazakhstan and are operating successfully," noting that "the number of South Korean tourists who visited Kazakhstan last year exceeded 51,000." He said the two sides would "proceed with an agreement on opening a branch of KAIST, a renowned South Korean university, in the new city of Alatau."
The two governments exchanged 13 cooperation documents on the day, including a memorandum on elevating ties to a future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership. The documents also included a framework agreement on crude oil cooperation, a framework on nurturing science and technology talent, a memorandum of understanding on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, an MOU on cooperation in urban and infrastructure development, and an MOU on cooperation in advancing future air mobility.
