BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 15. South Korea is ready to support the modernization of Kazakhstan's industry through advanced industrial and digital technologies, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said during talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Seoul.
This was announced in a statement by the press service of the Kazakh president.
“South Korea and Kazakhstan are expanding the scope of foreign cooperation and pursuing pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests and concrete results. Kazakhstan is an important partner for us in the field of economic security. The country is not only rich in energy and natural resources, but also has significant potential in promising high-tech industries. We are ready to support the modernization of Kazakhstan's industry through our advanced industrial and digital technologies,” Lee said.
He added that amid an unpredictable international environment, the two countries should strengthen cooperation by combining their respective strengths and potential and actively creating new opportunities for mutually beneficial growth.
Lee also reaffirmed his commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation and noted the similarity of the two countries' foreign policy priorities.
The South Korean president once again thanked Tokayev for his active assistance in returning to South Korea in 2021 the remains of General Hong Beom-do, regarded as a national hero in Korea, and emphasized that the Korean people remember and highly value the gesture.
Tokayev, in turn, noted South Korea's achievements in the economy, science and technology and described the country as a reliable strategic partner for Kazakhstan.
“Korea is a reliable strategic partner of Kazakhstan,” Tokayev said, noting that a street in Kyzylorda was named after General Hong Beom-do and a memorial complex had been opened there.
Tokayev also said the two countries had agreed to raise bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership focused on the future.
“Last year, we held our first telephone conversation, during which we agreed to continue developing a strategic partnership based on mutual trust and friendship. Today, we have reached an agreement to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership oriented toward the future,” he said.
The Kazakh president noted that South Korea had invested more than $12 billion in Kazakhstan and that major Korean companies were successfully operating in the Kazakh market.
“We are creating all the conditions for them and will continue to do so in the future,” Tokayev said.
He also highlighted the development of cultural and humanitarian ties, noting that around 51,000 South Korean citizens visited Kazakhstan last year.
Tokayev said the two countries had launched a major joint project to build Alatau City and were signing an agreement to open a branch of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Alatau.
“I am confident that this step will give new impetus to deepening our cooperation in education and science,” he said.
The Kazakh president also noted the alignment of Astana and Seoul on the international arena, saying the two countries share common positions on global sustainable development and security.
