South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun-cheol (left) talks with Uzbekistan's Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratovon at the government complex in central Seoul on June 24, 2026, in this photo provided by the ministry.
SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun-cheol met with his Uzbek counterpart in Seoul to discuss ways to expand bilateral economic cooperation, the ministry said on Thursday.
During their meeting the previous day, Koo and Uzbekistan's Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov agreed to expand cooperation in strategic fields including artificial intelligence, energy and critical mineral supply chains, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Kudratov is in Seoul ahead of the inaugural Korea–Central Asia Summit, scheduled to be held in South Korea in September, which will bring together the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for a comprehensive multilateral partnership.
The two sides also discussed practical projects that could deliver tangible results at the upcoming gathering including building a smart bio cluster and a new Tashkent airport, as well as expanding cooperation in the bio and medical sectors.
To address rising demand for critical minerals in advanced industries and uncertainty in global supply chains, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation by leveraging Uzbekistan's abundant mineral resources.
Koo stressed the growing importance of economic cooperation between South Korea and Central Asia, urging Uzbekistan to ease the business environment to help more South Korean companies make inroads there.
During their meeting the previous day, Koo and Uzbekistan's Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov agreed to expand cooperation in strategic fields including artificial intelligence, energy and critical mineral supply chains, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Kudratov is in Seoul ahead of the inaugural Korea–Central Asia Summit, scheduled to be held in South Korea in September, which will bring together the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for a comprehensive multilateral partnership.
The two sides also discussed practical projects that could deliver tangible results at the upcoming gathering including building a smart bio cluster and a new Tashkent airport, as well as expanding cooperation in the bio and medical sectors.
To address rising demand for critical minerals in advanced industries and uncertainty in global supply chains, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation by leveraging Uzbekistan's abundant mineral resources.
Koo stressed the growing importance of economic cooperation between South Korea and Central Asia, urging Uzbekistan to ease the business environment to help more South Korean companies make inroads there.
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