[Contribution] Uzbekistan-Republic of Korea: commitment to centuries-old ties, special strategic partnership


The President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, will be visiting Uzbekistan at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev from June 13-15, 2024. Relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea, which were established in 1992, have flourished over the years, culminating in the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2006 and the elevation of the relationship to a special strategic partnership in 2019. The two countries have fostered close ties through high-level visits, inter-parliamentary exchanges, economic cooperation, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and collaboration in education and science. This multifaceted partnership has also extended to cooperation within international organizations, mutual investment, and support in various international forums and initiatives. With a trade turnover exceeding $2.3 billion in 2023 and over 700 South Korean-owned enterprises operating in Uzbekistan, economic cooperation between the two countries has shown significant progress. Furthermore, educational and practical collaborations have resulted in the establishment of joint technoparks and centers in various fields. In addition, South Korea has provided financial and technical assistance to Uzbekistan, including a significant contribution to the UN Multi-partner Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region. Cultural exchanges, along with efforts to preserve the Korean culture in Uzbekistan, have also contributed to strengthening ties between the two nations. Despite their profound historical and cultural ties, possibilities for further collaboration in new areas such as the green economy, digitalization, and innovation hold potential for expanding the partnership between Uzbekistan and South Korea. The forthcoming state visit by the President of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan is anticipated to further enhance cooperation and usher in new prospects for mutual advancement and prosperity. This article was contributed by the Uzbekistan Embassy in Seoul, and the expressed views are those of the embassy.


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