Amidst a global race for critical mineral resources, South Korea is strengthening ties with Central Asian nations to secure a reliable supply chain for its burgeoning industries. The recent South Korea–Central Asia summit in Seoul marked a pivotal moment in this strategic collaboration, resulting in over 70 agreements and memorandums aimed at enhancing cooperation in the mineral sector.
During the summit, both sides agreed to convene every two years, establishing a C5+1 forum for industry ministers to facilitate ongoing dialogue. As South Korea seeks dependable sources for its automotive, electronics, battery, and energy sectors, Central Asian countries are eager to transform their economies by advancing local mineral processing capabilities rather than solely exporting raw materials.
South Korea’s approach involves leveraging Central Asia’s rich mineral deposits alongside Korean expertise in exploration, processing, and advanced manufacturing. This partnership aims to encompass the entire supply chain, from identifying deposits to mining and processing, ultimately producing higher-value goods. Efforts to establish rare metals research and training centers in the region are already underway.
Among the Central Asian nations, Uzbekistan proposed creating an investment alliance focused on critical minerals and establishing processing clusters that span exploration to production. Kazakhstan expressed interest in collaborating on rare metals, nuclear and clean energy, and artificial intelligence while reinforcing its strategic partnership with South Korea. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are looking to engage with South Korea in the extraction of minerals such as antimony and tungsten.
South Korea’s increased presence in Central Asia coincides with similar interests from China, the United States, the European Union, and Japan, all vying for access to the region’s valuable mineral resources. Central Asian governments are prioritizing investments that promise to enhance local industrial production facilities, shifting away from their traditional role as raw material exporters.
Looking ahead, the next South Korea–Central Asia summit is scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan in 2028, promising to further solidify the partnerships formed at the inaugural summit in Seoul.
