Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held the inaugural C5+1 Industry Ministers’ Meeting in Seoul on September 14, 2026, with industry ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Although Korea has maintained bilateral ministerial-level channels on industrial cooperation with each of the five Central Asian countries, this marked the first time that industry ministers from all six countries met to discuss cooperation on industry and supply chains, including critical minerals.

Three Priority Areas of Cooperation

The industry ministers of the six countries agreed to strengthen practical cooperation in three priority areas to jointly respond to a rapidly changing global trade environment and shifting supply chains.

First, to expand trade and upgrade industrial infrastructure, the ministers agreed to move beyond merchandise trade and enhance the quality of cooperation by expanding Korea’s participation in projects across Central Asia, including integrated industrial complexes, smart infrastructure and plant modernization, and by upgrading the region’s broader industrial base.

Second, on building critical mineral supply chains, the ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation across the entire supply chain by combining Central Asia’s abundant mineral resources, including lithium and rare earths, with Korea’s advanced processing and materials technologies. They also plan to expand downstream value-chain cooperation beyond extraction and raw-material imports to local refining and smelting, high-value-added materials processing, and finished-product manufacturing.

Third, on technology cooperation and future talent development, the ministers explored mutually beneficial ways to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness by combining Central Asia’s industrial potential with Korea’s capabilities in smart factories and data for manufacturing AI. The ministers considered how such cooperation could support the smart transformation of factories across Central Asia and accelerate the deployment of Korean manufacturing equipment and technologies in the region. They also agreed to expand exchanges among young technical talent who will lead future industries.

Opening and Closing Remarks by the Chair

As host and chair of the inaugural meeting, Minister JK Kim opened the meeting by referring to the pioneering spirit of the trading caravans that once connected Eurasia. “Let us forge a new path together toward an advanced industrial ecosystem, using Korea’s advanced technologies and manufacturing capabilities as a catalyst to unlock Central Asia’s vast growth potential and drive greater growth across Eurasia,” Minister Kim said. 

Concluding the meeting, Minister Kim said, “As a Central Asian proverb says, a long road feels far when traveled alone, but near when traveled with good friends. I hope this Industry Ministers’ Meeting will establish itself as a platform for mutually beneficial cooperation where our countries jointly identify and develop practical projects that deliver tangible benefits to businesses and people.”