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. President Lee Jae Myung and Rahmon held a bilateral summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul ahead of the first summit between South Korea and the five Central Asian countries. Rahmon’s visit comes as the two countries approach the 35th anniversary next year of establishing diplomatic relations in 1992. Seong

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 energy security, critical minerals and nuclear energy. President Lee Jae Myung and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reached the agreement during a summit 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 fi

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 Monday afternoon wi

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 nomination spread into the ruling party, which had asked her to decide on 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

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

Lee returns to mounting domestic pressure, tough alliance calls

President Lee Jae Myung returned from France on Thursday to a sliding approval rating as domestic challenges escalate and high-stakes alliance decisions draw closer. At home, controversies surrounding two Cabinet nominees have deepened amid growing criticism from the opposition, blunting the effect of a Cabinet reshuffle intended to help reset the administration. Abroad, Lee faces consequential decisions over a possible troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz and South Korea’s first investment

2026-09-10 15:06:36:00

[Key Points] Seoul weighs Hormuz role as UAE assessment fuels deployment speculation

Decision still open: Seoul says no decision has been made on contributing troops or military assets to Strait of Hormuz operations, despite sending an assessment team to the UAE. Team dispatched: The Defense Ministry sent personnel to evaluate regional and security conditions, stressing the mission is part of the review process rather than a signal that deployment is imminent. Pressure mounts: US President Donald Trump has urged Seoul to contribute more, while domestic opposition and Iran’s warn

2026-09-09 16:02:42:00