South Korea and Kyrgyzstan sign 18 agreements covering investment, infrastructure, energy, digital technology and other sectors as Seoul strengthens economic ties with Central Asia ahead of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit.
South Korea and Kyrgyzstan sign 18 agreements aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation across investment, infrastructure, technology and economic development, as Seoul deepens its engagement with Central Asia. The agreements are concluded during Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to South Korea ahead of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul on September 16.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung holds summit talks with Japarov and describes Kyrgyzstan as a solid partner in both political and economic relations. The two leaders discuss ways to expand exchanges and strengthen cooperation as South Korea seeks broader economic partnerships with the region’s five Central Asian countries.
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The agreements form part of a wider effort by Seoul to develop practical economic ties with Central Asia. Cooperation increasingly focuses on areas such as critical minerals, infrastructure, energy, technology, supply chains and investment. South Korea’s broader regional strategy seeks to move beyond traditional trade and establish stronger links across emerging industries and resource-related value chains.
The Kyrgyzstan agreements also come as South Korea prepares to host the leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the first Korea-Central Asia Summit. The meeting elevates dialogue between Seoul and the five Central Asian states to the leaders’ level and provides a platform for discussing trade, investment, energy security, critical minerals and supply-chain cooperation.
Transport connectivity is another important element of the regional agenda. South Korea and Central Asian countries agree to encourage Korean companies to participate in the construction, modernization and operation of transport infrastructure, alongside digitalization and smart mobility initiatives.
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The summit also produces the Seoul Declaration, through which South Korea and the five Central Asian countries establish a framework for deeper cooperation and agree to hold the leaders’ meeting every two years.
For Kyrgyzstan and South Korea, the latest agreements provide a broader institutional foundation for expanding economic and technological engagement. The partnership also reflects Seoul’s growing focus on Central Asia as it seeks stronger connectivity, diversified supply chains and new opportunities for Korean businesses across the region.