[Unofficial Translation] 

It is very meaningful to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan in this special year, marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between Korea and Kazakhstan.

I extend my deep gratitude to President Tokayev and the people of Kazakhstan for their warm welcome.

Central Asia has historically been a crossroads where the East meets the West. The caravans of camelback traders that once travelled the Silk Road have now disappeared into history, yet the importance of Central Asia on the international stage continues to grow.

Economic and strategic cooperation with Kazakhstan, the heart and economic hub of Central Asia, is becoming increasingly vital.

Today, President Tokayev and I held extensive discussions on our bilateral relations, which have developed rapidly since the establishment of our diplomatic ties in 1992.

We concurred that, in light of today’s global polycrisis and uncertainties, cooperation between Korea –aspiring to become a Global Pivotal State – and Kazakhstan – pursuing its “New Kazakhstan” initiative – is more important than ever.

To this end, we agreed to strengthen our Strategic Partnership to be more mutually beneficial and future-oriented.

First, we agreed to further strengthen collaboration in the areas of renewable energy and the modernization of power plants based on the “MOU on Comprehensive Cooperation in the field of Power Industry” concluded during this visit.

This MOU will allow us to provide support so that Korean businesses continue to be a part of the efforts to increase Kazakhstan’s power generation and promote its industrial development.

Second, we will strengthen our supply chains on critical minerals by merging Korea’s technology with Kazakhstan’s abundant mineral resources.

During this visit, three MOUs including the “MOU on Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals Supply Chain” were concluded, and we agreed to advance cooperation on critical minerals, including lithium, throughout all stages of development such as exploration, mining and smelting.

Moreover, we agreed to cooperate to ensure that Korean companies are given priority when it comes to developing mineral deposits that have been identified as economically viable.

Third, we concurred that bilateral cooperation projects in infrastructure such as the Big Almaty Ring Road and the Shymkent Combined Cycle Power Plant have been very successful, and agreed to work together so that more examples of successful cooperation may follow during the process of further expanding Kazakhstan’s energy infrastructure.

In this regard, I requested the special attention of President Tokayev so that Korean companies may participate in and contribute to key state projects in Kazakhstan, such as gas processing plants.

Fourth, we exchanged views on a wide range of pending global security issues in the region, including the North Korean nuclear issue.

We condemned North Korea’s illegal nuclear and missile development and agreed to continue to cooperate with the international community, including on the efforts to block North Korea’s illicit financing of such programs.

Finally, I briefed President Tokayev on my government’s “K Silk Road Initiative on Cooperation between Korea and Central Asia” based on the collaborative principles of companionship, convergence and creativity, as well as our plan to hold the first Korea-Central Asia Summit, to which President Tokayev expressed his full support.

In accordance with this Initiative, Korea will combine our respective strengths harmoniously on the journey together with Kazakhstan, and create a brighter and more prosperous future.

Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to President Tokayev and the Kazakh government and its people for the warm hospitality and friendship shown to me and my delegation. Thank you.