The 4th Culture and Strategies Forum for the Korean Peninsula and the North, organized by the Korea Center for International Area Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (CIAS), was held in Seoul on October 7.

The event was attended by the heads of diplomatic missions of Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye accredited in the Republic of Korea, as well as representatives of international organizations and the media. For the first time, directors of strategic research institutes of Central Asian countries were invited to the Forum.

Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS) Eldor Aripov spoke at a session entitled: “Strategic Dialogue between the Republic of Korea and the Countries of Central Asia”.

In his speech, Eldor Aripov stated that the observed sustainable dynamics of economic development in Central Asia, coupled with regional consolidation, the opening of borders, growing population, and proximity to centers of geopolitical activity, increase the region’s geostrategic importance. The new Central Asia is becoming an “attraction point” for world powers and leading states, including South Korea.

“Over the past 7 years, the total GDP of Central Asian countries has grown by 6.3%, intraregional trade has increased by 4.4 times, and the volume of mutual investments has grown almost 2 times”, the expert stated.

In turn, highly appreciating Korea’s relations with the countries of Central Asia, the ISRS Director particularly emphasized that they are based on a solid foundation, have stood the test of time, and are comprehensive.

According to him, Seoul makes a considerable contribution to the modernization of the economies of Central Asian states. Thanks to Korean investments, automotive, chemical, metallurgical, oil and gas, information and communications, and many other industries have received a dynamic impetus for development.

Eldor Aripov noted with satisfaction that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, trade turnover between the Central Asian countries and South Korea has grown 600 times: from $15 million in 1992 to more than $10 billion in 2023, and the total accumulated Korean investments in the region have exceeded $18 billion.

At the same time, he pointed out that Seoul, one of the first countries to establish the CA + Republic of Korea format in 2007, continues to make a significant contribution to the sustainable development and implementation of important socio-economic projects in the region.

Also, according to the ISRS Director, the new cooperation initiative “K-Silk Road”, presented during the recent visit of the South Korean leader to Central Asia, clearly demonstrates Seoul’s commitment to building long-term cooperation with the region. “South Korea’s decision to hold the first summit of leaders in the “Central Asia-Republic of Korea” format in Seoul in 2025 will give a great impetus to further deepening our cooperation”, the expert emphasized.

At the same time, speaking about the current level of cooperation between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, Mr. Aripov said, “The achieved level of cooperation is impressive, but does not reflect the huge potential that our countries have accumulated”.

In this regard, the expert believes it would be appropriate to develop specific proposals in the following areas to significantly strengthen multilateral cooperation.

First, in his opinion, the development of industrial cooperation based on the transfer of South Korean experience and technology, as well as the use of the enormous production and resource potential of the Central Asian countries, is becoming especially relevant.

Second, according to Mr. Aripov, another important area is the development of sustainable and safe supply chains. Considering Korea’s ambitious and long-term goals to achieve global leadership in developing strategic technologies by 2030, Central Asian countries can act as reliable partners in creating routes in critical rare earth elements.

Third, the expert believes this increases environmental sustainability and adaptation to climate change. Attracting South Korea’s rich experience and investments in the development of renewable energy sources and the introduction of modern water-saving and environmentally friendly technologies can play an important role in these issues.

Fourth, the Institute’s Director is convinced that human capital development should be the supporting structure of cooperation. According to him, education should become the “anchor” area of ​​cooperation, which will allow for increasing interaction in training personnel based on South Korea’s most advanced practices and standards.

Fifth, he noted, the priority is to expand cooperation in labor migration. Given its increasing population growth and high level of education, Central Asia can act as an important supplier of labor resources against the backdrop of the growing demographic crisis in South Korea.

Sixth, the expert concluded that strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties is essential in deepening interaction. An invaluable asset in this regard is the large Korean diaspora, a “connecting bridge” and a reliable foundation for the special nature of relations between Korea and the Central Asian countries. In this context, the ISRS Director proposed launching the practice of holding an annual Network of the Korean Diaspora in Central Asia Forum with the active assistance of national Korean cultural centers in the countries of the region. According to him, this will contribute to preserving the national identity of Koreans living in our region and further strengthening the friendship, good neighborliness, cohesion, and mutual understanding between our peoples.

“I am confident that we will be able to work purposefully and successfully with our Korean partners in all these areas”, concluded Eldor Aripov.

The Forum was launched in 2021 to promote cooperation between the Republic of Korea and countries located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula (Central Asia, the Caucasus countries, Eastern Europe). In 2021-2022, the forums were held in Seoul, and 2023, in Tashkent, in cooperation with ISRS.

UzA