New york: President Lee Jae Myung met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Tuesday to discuss enhancing cooperation in the sectors of critical minerals and infrastructure, according to Lee's office. The dialogue took place on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly and marked their first face-to-face meeting following a phone conversation in July.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee expressed his desire to broaden economic collaboration between Uzbekistan, which is rich in mineral resources, and South Korea, known for its advanced technological capabilities. He proposed joint ventures in transportation and infrastructure development, notably in railways, airports, and roads, alongside establishing robust supply chains for essential minerals to achieve synergistic outcomes.
President Lee also highlighted the significant role of more than 170,000 ethnic Koreans residing in Uzbekistan, contributing to the strengthening of bilateral ties through various political and economic activities. He requested continued support for this community from the Uzbek government.
Furthermore, both leaders committed to cooperating for the successful organization of the inaugural "Korea-Central Asia Summit," which South Korea is planning to host next year, as noted by Lee's office.