Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the 5th Central Asia Policy Forum on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul. The forum was attended by more than 50 representatives from the government, relevant organizations and associations, companies operating in Central Asia, and academia.

Central Asia holds significant potential for supply chain cooperation, supported by key resources such as energy and minerals, and serves as a strategic logistics hub for the Eurasian region. Korea and Central Asia also have complementary industrial structures. Against this backdrop, the forum discussed ways to translate these cooperation prospects into tangible outcomes.

In his opening remarks, Park Jung-sung, Deputy Minister for Trade at MOTIR, stated that “Central Asia is an essential partner for strengthening Korea’s competitiveness in advanced industries and securing strategic resources.” He added that “the government will develop cooperation models tailored to each country’s needs, with a focus on deepening supply chain partnerships for critical minerals, expanding cooperation in energy and plant projects, and improving the investment environment.” He emphasized that “today’s forum marks an important milestone in preparing for the inaugural Korea–Central Asia Summit in 2026 and will help elevate bilateral cooperation to a new stage.”

At the forum, MOTIR presented ministerial commendations to three individuals who contributed to advancing Korea–Central Asia economic and trade cooperation: Lee Dong-eun, Senior Researcher at the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT); Kim Beom-seong, Principal Researcher at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH); and Rukhullo Zikrillaev, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Korea.