BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 15. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung confirmed their determination to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and South Korea and fill it with new practical content.
This was announced by the press service of the Kazakh president following the meeting in a narrow format in Seoul.
During the meeting, the two sides expressed readiness to develop long-term cooperation and provide comprehensive mutual support when necessary.
Tokayev thanked Lee for the invitation to visit South Korea and highlighted the strategic nature of bilateral relations.
“South Korea is a strategic partner of Kazakhstan. Our peoples have long been connected by strong ties of friendship and mutual understanding, as well as close cultural and humanitarian relations. There are no contradictions or disagreements between our countries. Our goal is to comprehensively develop bilateral relations,” Tokayev said.
He noted that a business forum had been held with the participation of a representative delegation of Kazakh business circles and that promising projects were being implemented in various sectors.
Tokayev also highlighted the Alatau City project, saying that the two sides had discussed its further development in detail.
“This is indeed a very important project, which we attach great importance to. Provisions concerning the status of this city have been incorporated into the Constitution. Korean companies will be provided with all legal guarantees,” he said.
Tokayev also noted that more than 120,000 ethnic Koreans live in Kazakhstan and said they are active members of Kazakh society.
The Kazakh president also highlighted the return of the remains of Korean General Hong Beom-do to South Korea.
“I am well familiar with the history of General Hong Beom-do. He was a true hero and patriot. We can say with full confidence that preserving his memory was an expression of mutual wisdom. It is remarkable that even more than 100 years later, the Korean people have not forgotten their general. Paying tribute to his memory, we returned his remains to his homeland, thereby fulfilling our civic duty,” Tokayev said.
He said commercial agreements worth $19 billion had been signed during his visit.
“As for bilateral relations, commercial agreements worth $19 billion were signed during this visit. We are satisfied with our cooperation with Korean investors and are ready to continue working with them. There are good plans for the construction of hotels, an oil refinery and urban development. Particular attention is being paid to strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties,” Tokayev said.
Lee, in turn, welcomed Tokayev to Seoul and emphasized the significance of his visit.
“We thank you for your decision to return the remains of General Hong Beom-do, who played a special role in Korea's history and in protecting the Korean people during difficult times. Korean citizens were warmly welcomed in Kazakhstan at the time. We are grateful to you and the Kazakh people for this,” Lee said.
