Korea, Central Asia map out vision for next 30 years in Seoul Declaration

South Korea and five Central Asian countries on Wednesday laid the foundations for a lasting partnership at their first-ever summit, adopting the Seoul Declaration to institutionalize their ties and map out a shared vision for the next 30 years. President Lee Jae Myung presided over the gathering, which focused on the future direction of Korea-Central Asia cooperation and ways to strengthen partnerships in innovation, prosperity and connectivity. The Seoul summit was the first time the leaders o

2026-09-16 17:55:08:00

Korea, Kyrgyzstan leaders agree to take partnership to new level

President Lee Jae Myung and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov agreed Wednesday to elevate their countries’ comprehensive partnership across a range of fields. Lee’s meeting with Japarov was the last in a series of one-on-one summits he had held with the leaders of all five Central Asian countries since Monday, ahead of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia summit later Wednesday. Lee and Japarov “held broad discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand substantive cooperation,” accord

2026-09-16 15:40:52:00

Korea, Central Asian leaders gather for first summit to set out shared vision

President Lee Jae Myung called on South Korea and Central Asia to open a new 30-year chapter in their partnership, saying their complementary strengths could help each side meet the challenges ahead. For the first time, the leaders of all five Central Asian countries gathered for the inaugural Korea-Central Asia summit in Seoul on Wednesday to map out a broad vision for the region’s partnership with South Korea. Joining Lee in Seoul were Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan Pre

2026-09-16 15:18:26:00

Korea, Tajikistan forge comprehensive partnership

South Korea and Tajikistan established a comprehensive partnership Wednesday, elevating bilateral ties as Tajik President Emomali Rahmon made the first visit by a Tajik leader to Seoul in 11 years. The two countries also signed 17 agreements and memorandums of understanding, laying the institutional groundwork for broader cooperation in key infrastructure, from railway and electricity networks to critical minerals, artificial intelligence and transnational crime. President Lee Jae Myung and Rahm

2026-09-16 14:44:59:00

Korea, Kazakhstan elevate ties as oil, nuclear cooperation expands

South Korea and Kazakhstan agreed to elevate their relations to a future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership, while laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation in crude oil supplies and nuclear energy. President Lee Jae Myung and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reached the agreement during a summit on Tuesday in Seoul as Tokayev made a state visit ahead of Wednesday’s inaugural summit between South Korea and the five Central Asian nations. The elevation marks the first upgrade i

2026-09-15 18:35:30:00

Lee to hold news conference on Friday to lay out 'clear' stance on major policy challenges

President Lee Jae Myung will hold a news conference Friday to address key domestic and foreign challenges, as his approval ratings continue to slide. "This news conference will be an opportunity to convey the president's firm commitment to reform, his governing principle of putting people's livelihoods first and a message of stronger national unity," Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, said during a press briefing Tuesday. "In addition, he will s

2026-09-15 18:04:28:00

Korea, Turkmenistan take economic partnership into new territory

President Lee Jae Myung and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov agreed to expand a partnership long anchored in energy and industrial plants to include infrastructure, shipbuilding, urban development and beyond. Lee welcomed Berdimuhamedov with an official ceremony Tuesday morning as he continued a second day of bilateral summit diplomacy with the five Central Asian leaders on the sidelines of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia summit to be held Wednesday. During their talks, Lee and Berdimuha

2026-09-15 15:19:08:00

Korea, Uzbekistan seek broader strategic ties in emerging industries

President Lee Jae Myung and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday agreed to broaden the countries' bilateral partnership into emerging sectors including artificial intelligence, critical minerals and defense, seeking to create new engines of growth for both countries. The two leaders emphasized expanding future-oriented cooperation by combining South Korea's technology and industrial strengths with Uzbekistan's development priorities and growing market during the summit in Seoul. The meet

2026-09-14 18:26:13:00

Lee begins Central Asia summit series ahead of inaugural regional summit

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday began a series of bilateral summits with the leaders of five Central Asian countries, starting with Uzbekistan, ahead of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit. The meetings with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are part of Seoul’s broader push to deepen political and economic ties with Central Asia as the region’s strategic importance grows amid an increasingly uncertain international environment. Lee’s summit with Uzbek Presiden

2026-09-14 13:21:36:00

Gender minister nominee steps aside amid mounting pressure

Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Rep. Yong Hye-in stepped aside Sunday as opposition to her appointment spread into the ruling party, which had asked her to decide her future as a nominee. Yong, the sole lawmaker of the minor Basic Income Party, announced her decision at an emergency news conference at the National Assembly, just two weeks after President Lee Jae Myung nominated her for the post. The decision came on the eve of a packed week of confirmation hearings at the National As

2026-09-13 12:11:08:00