Central Asia-Republic of Korea relations began with the establishment of diplomatic ties in the post-Soviet era and have evolved into a multifaceted partnership over the past three decades. North Korea considers Central Asia a regional priority not only for its historical ties and cultural interactions, but also for its energy reserves, critical minerals, hydropower potential, and strategic location at the center of Eurasian logistics networks. In turn, Central Asian states view Korea’s expertise in technology, innovation, digitalization, and high-value-added industries as a complementary element that accelerates their development.
The business partnership between Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea is at the center of a transformation in the geopolitical restructuring of Central Eurasia that has been deepening in recent years. This transformation is shaped not only by economic and technological advancements, but also by priorities related to energy security, regional sustainability, and green development. The “17th Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum” held in Seoul in 2024 and the “Dushanbe Invest 2025” investment forum both expanded the scope of this multidimensional business partnership framework and made the future directions of this strategic alliance more visible.
Digital transformation, economic diplomacy, the integration of logistics networks, and collaborations in critical minerals point to the creation of a new regional architecture integrated with the region’s sustainable development goals.[i] In this context, the perspectives presented at the forums reveal that Central Asia has developed a more comprehensive strategic partnership vision that transcends the purely economic dimension in its communication with Korea.
The 17th Central Asia-Korea Forum, held in Seoul in 2024, emphasized that deepening dialogue, particularly on the axes of transportation, energy, digitalization, and environmental cooperation, constitutes a key pillar of regional development. Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu’s shared goal of increasing the capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor to 10 million tons by 2025 and his invitation to Korean companies to actively contribute to the development of regional logistics infrastructure demonstrate Central Asia’s growing role in Eurasia’s West-East trade network. This emphasis has led not only to the diversification of regional transportation networks but also to a renewed appreciation of Central Asia’s strategic importance in securing global supply chains.[ii]
The two countries’ partnership in energy is at the heart of both sides’ strategic priorities. Kazakhstan’s global capacity in rare earths and uranium reserves, combined with Korea’s expertise in technology and the nuclear industry, opens the door to high-value-added joint projects for the two countries. Nurtleu’s invitation to Korean companies to join the nuclear power plant consortium signals a new partnership model that strengthens interdependence in energy security and sustainable production.
Similarly, Tajikistan’s green energy potential, highlighted at the 2025 Dushanbe Investment Forum, is transforming Central Asia’s growing renewable energy production capacity into economic partnerships with Korea. Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon’s emphasis on “green investment as a development paradigm that integrates economic stability, environmental balance, and social responsibility” clearly demonstrated the state’s sustainability-focused policy orientation. Furthermore, Tajikistan’s advantages, such as hydropower, mineral reserves, and a young workforce, form the basis for new industrial partnerships with Korea. The most critical outcome of this 2025 forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with South Korea regarding the joint development of the Maykhura tungsten deposit. [iii]
The digital transformation partnership, on the other hand, is complementary to both sides’ economic modernization goals. Kazakhstan’s ranking among the top 10 countries in the United Nations online services index makes it possible to pursue more comprehensive projects with Korea in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and e-government services. Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul’s emphasis on narrowing the digital divide and joint technology production demonstrates that both sides’ digital integration perspective is built not only on technology transfer but also on the capacity to generate joint innovation.[iv]
In light of these events, the relationship between Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea has transcended traditional economic unity and become a multidimensional strategic partnership encompassing critical areas such as regional development, energy security, supply chain resilience, and green transformation. As demonstrated by the forums held in Seoul and Dushanbe, this region at the heart of Eurasia is entering a new phase of economic, technological, and environmental integration with Korea. In this alliance, Korea’s innovative capacity and Central Asia’s natural resource reserves are creating a partnership model that enhances interdependence, strengthens regional stability, and serves sustainable development goals.
Agreements signed by countries, logistics projects, critical mineral supply chains, and green investment frameworks are shaping up as the concrete institutions of this new era. All these developments demonstrate that the Central Asia-Korea Summit in 2025 will not only be a diplomatic gathering but also a strategic turning point, during which a regional vision will be institutionalized.
[i] “О 17-м Форуме сотрудничества «Центральная Азия-Республика Корея»”, Gov.kz, https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/877025?lang=ru, (Access Date: 26.11.2025).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] “Tajikistan Opens a New Chapter in Sustainable Investment- Dushanbe Invest 2025 Highlights Green Growth and Korea–Tajikistan Industrial Cooperation”, The World Korea, https://www.twk.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1050, (Access Date: 26.11.2025).
[iv] Ibid.
