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President Yoon Suk Yeol (right) on June 13 speaks at a talk with young entrepreneurs at the U-ENTER Entrepreneurship Innovation Center in Tashkent. / Korea.net
Uzbekistan, Korea prepare to take “special” relations to next level as presidents meet
bne IntelliNews
It is five years since relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea were elevated to a special strategic partnership, the only one that Seoul
has in Central Asia.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was on June 14 preparing for a summit with Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev that he said would attempt to build on those special relations with enhanced cooperation in critical minerals, supply chains and cutting-edge technologies.
In an exclusive written interview
with Uzbek news outlet Dunya, he highlighted Uzbekistan's growth potential and underscored its importance as a strategic location helping to connect the
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continents of Asia and Europe. He also pointed to its abundant resources.
"Despite the global crises, I believe this is an opportunity to deepen economic cooperation between our countries, including in key minerals and supply chains," said Yoon, who is in Uzbekistan on the final leg of a three-nation Central Asia tour that first took him to Turkmenistan and then to Kazakhstan.
He added: "During this visit, we plan to discuss ways to substantively develop
bilateral relations in various fields, such as energy and infrastructure, health care, climate and environment, science and technology, and education.
"Korea hopes to build a Central Asian hub for advanced science and technology with Uzbekistan."
Yoon also reflected on Mirziyoyev's commendable record as a reformer and bridge builder, saying: “The Republic of Korea, which was once a country of absolute poverty, achieved
“Korea hopes to build a Central Asian hub for advanced science and technology with Uzbekistan”