ASTANA – Kazakhstan and South Korea signed commercial agreements worth $19 billion during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Seoul on Sept. 15, with both sides seeking to expand cooperation in investment, industry, urban development and cultural and humanitarian ties, Akorda reported.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Sept. 15. Photo credit: Akorda
“Our goal is the comprehensive development of bilateral relations,” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
Speaking about the outcome of his visit, Tokayev highly assessed the current state and prospects of cooperation between the two countries.
“As for bilateral relations, during this visit, commercial agreements worth $19 billion were signed. We are satisfied with our work with Korean investors and are ready to continue working with them. There are good plans for the construction of hotels, an oil refinery and urban development. Particular attention is paid to strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties,” Tokayev said.
Tokayev also highlighted the high level of coordination between Astana and Seoul on the international stage, noting that the two countries share common positions on global sustainable development and security.
“Our states share common positions on issues of global sustainable development and security,” Tokayev said.
Lee reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation, pointing to the growing alignment of the two countries’ foreign policy priorities.
“The Republic of Korea and Kazakhstan are broadening the scope of their external cooperation and pursuing pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests and tangible results. Kazakhstan is an important partner for us in the area of economic security. The country is not only rich in energy and natural resources, but also has significant potential in promising high-tech industries,” Lee said.
He added that South Korea was ready to support the modernization of Kazakhstan’s industrial sector by leveraging its advanced industrial and digital technologies.
“Amid an increasingly unpredictable international environment, our two countries should strengthen cooperation by bringing together our respective strengths and capabilities and actively creating new opportunities for mutually beneficial growth,” Lee said.
President Tokayev expressed gratitude to Lee for the invitation to visit South Korea, describing the country as a strategic partner of Kazakhstan. He noted the longstanding ties of friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples, as well as close cultural and humanitarian links, stressing that there are no contradictions or disagreements between Kazakhstan and South Korea.
Photo credit: Akorda
He said the two countries are pursuing ambitious projects across a range of sectors and highlighted the importance of the Kazakhstan-Korea business forum held in Seoul with the participation of representatives of the two countries’ business communities. Among the projects discussed was the further development of Alatau City, which Tokayev described as an important initiative for Kazakhstan.
“The provisions concerning the status of this city have been incorporated into the Constitution. Korean companies will be provided with all legal guarantees. More than 120,000 ethnic Koreans live in Kazakhstan. All conditions have been created for them, and they are active members of our society,” Tokayev said.
He also highlighted the historical significance of General Hong Beom-do, a Korean independence movement figure whose remains were returned from Kazakhstan to South Korea in 2021. Tokayev said he was well acquainted with Hong Beom-do’s history and described him as a hero and patriot. He noted that preserving the general’s memory and returning his remains to South Korea demonstrated mutual understanding between the two countries.
“It is remarkable that even after more than a hundred years, the Korean people have not forgotten their general. Bowing to his memory, we returned his remains to his homeland, thereby fulfilling our civic duty,” Tokayev said.
Lee warmly welcomed Tokayev and emphasized the importance of his visit to Seoul. He thanked Kazakhstan for the decision to return Hong Beom-do’s remains and expressed appreciation for the way ethnic Koreans were received in Kazakhstan.
“We are grateful for your decision to return the remains of General Hong Beom-do, who played a special role in the history of Korea and in protecting the Korean people during difficult times. Korean citizens were warmly welcomed in Kazakhstan at the time. We are grateful to you and the Kazakh people for this,” Lee said.
The two presidents said they were ready to cooperate long-term and provide comprehensive mutual support when needed. Following the talks, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and South Korea and giving it new practical substance.
Earlier, Tokayev met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, congratulated her on her recent appointment, and wished her success in the post. Tokayev said Kazakhstan-South Korea relations are developing steadily within the framework of their strategic partnership, with numerous mutually beneficial initiatives being implemented. South Korea is among Kazakhstan’s top 10 trade and investment partners, while more than 1,000 joint ventures with Korean capital operate in Kazakhstan.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked Han Seong-sook for participating in a roundtable of Kazakh and Korean business representatives. Photo credit: Akorda
Photo credit: Akorda
“However, there are still many important tasks ahead of us. Therefore, I am confident that, working together as one team, we will successfully implement all the plans we have outlined,” Tokayev said.
President Tokayev said Kazakhstan had created favorable conditions for business and investment, including for small and medium-sized enterprises alongside major Korean corporations. He noted the role of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation and the Business Council, as well as the bilateral legal framework supporting cooperation.
Tokayev thanked Han Seong-sook for taking part in the roundtable of Kazakh and Korean business representatives and expressed confidence that the agreements signed during the event would contribute to expanding bilateral ties.
He also said his upcoming talks with Lee were intended to open a new chapter in the history of Kazakhstan-South Korea relations.
Tokayev outlined several priorities for further government cooperation, including a target to double bilateral trade turnover.
“It is important not only to increase volumes, but also to qualitatively change the structure of trade and expand the range of goods with high added value. Therefore, I consider it highly relevant to develop a Comprehensive Program for Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Korea for 2027-2030,” the President said.
He also proposed preparing a separate roadmap for industrial cooperation, incorporating the most promising localization projects and initiatives to export products to third-country markets.
Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to comprehensive strengthening of its partnership with South Korea.
