South Korea is intensifying its collaboration with Central Asian nations to secure critical mineral resources, a move solidified during the inaugural South Korea–Central Asia summit in Seoul. This partnership, which resulted in over 70 agreements and memorandums, aims to bolster South Korea’s supply chains for its automotive, electronics, battery, and energy sectors, while assisting Central Asian countries in advancing their mineral processing capabilities.
One of the key outcomes of the summit was the agreement to convene biennially and the establishment of a C5+1 forum for industry ministers. This framework is expected to facilitate comprehensive cooperation spanning the entire supply chain—from mineral exploration and mining to processing and the production of higher-value goods. South Korea has proposed leveraging its expertise in exploration and advanced manufacturing to complement the mineral wealth of Central Asia.
Among the Central Asian nations, Uzbekistan has suggested forming an investment alliance to focus on critical minerals, emphasizing the development of processing clusters. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has expressed interest in collaborating on rare metals, nuclear and clean energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure, further solidifying its strategic partnership with South Korea. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are also seeking South Korean support in processing minerals like antimony and tungsten.
In addition to mineral cooperation, South Korea is expanding its role in transportation and infrastructure projects across Central Asia. This shift occurs amid increasing interest from global powers such as China, the United States, the European Union, and Japan, all vying for access to the region’s critical mineral resources. Central Asian governments are eager to attract investments that will enable them to develop local processing facilities and transition from simply exporting raw materials.
The next South Korea–Central Asia summit is scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan in 2028, aiming to further strengthen the ties forged at this initial meeting and continue the momentum of cooperation on critical minerals and other strategic sectors.