In the race to secure critical minerals vital for technological advancement, South Korea is forging stronger ties with Central Asian countries. This strategic move follows the inaugural South Korea–Central Asia summit held in Seoul, where the parties inked over 70 agreements and memorandums, underlining a shared commitment to deepen cooperation across various sectors.
The summit marked the establishment of a biennial meeting schedule and the creation of a C5+1 forum for industry ministers, setting the stage for ongoing dialogue and collaboration. As South Korea intensifies its efforts to secure a steady supply of critical minerals for its automotive, electronics, battery, and energy sectors, Central Asian nations are eager to transition from merely exporting raw materials to developing local processing capabilities.
South Korea has presented a proposal to marry Central Asia’s rich mineral reserves with its own expertise in exploration, processing, and advanced manufacturing. This collaborative approach aims to cover the entire supply chain, from the identification of deposits to mining and the production of high-value goods. To support this, rare metals research and training centers are being developed across the region.
Among the Central Asian nations, Uzbekistan has taken the initiative by proposing the formation of an investment alliance focused on critical minerals, alongside developing processing clusters that span exploration to production. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is extending its collaboration with South Korea into areas such as rare metals, nuclear and clean energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure, thereby reinforcing their strategic partnership.
Other Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are also seeking South Korean assistance in harnessing minerals such as antimony and tungsten. Beyond minerals, South Korea is increasing its involvement in transport and infrastructure projects throughout Central Asia.
This renewed Korean interest in Central Asia comes amidst similar efforts by China, the United States, the European Union, and Japan to gain access to the region’s critical mineral resources. Central Asian governments are increasingly prioritizing investment that not only taps into their raw materials but also bolsters local industrial capabilities.
As the partnerships continue to evolve, the next South Korea–Central Asia summit is slated for 2028 in Kazakhstan, promising further developments in this burgeoning economic relationship.