Cooperation in Core Mineral Supply Chains for Semiconductor and Secondary Battery Materials
"Creating an Advanced Science and Technology Silk Road Together"
President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Uzbekistan, is delivering an encouragement speech at a dinner meeting with compatriots held at the Tashkent Hilton Hotel on the afternoon of the 13th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to three Central Asian countries, will hold a summit meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, the last country on his itinerary, on the 14th (local time). He plans to establish a partnership for cooperation in the supply chain of critical minerals such as tungsten and molybdenum, which are essential materials for semiconductors and secondary batteries, and to strengthen a stable economic security network with Uzbekistan.
On the same day, President Yoon will hold a Korea-Uzbekistan summit and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, followed by a joint press conference. At this summit, the two leaders are expected to sign an MOU to solidify the supply chain of critical minerals and enhance cooperation in infrastructure sectors such as transportation and energy facilities.
An official from the Presidential Office stated, "This year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Korea-Uzbekistan Special Strategic Partnership," adding, "Taking advantage of the first state visit to Uzbekistan in five years since 2019, we plan to focus on deepening the 'Special Strategic Partnership' between the two countries."
Uzbekistan is the only country in Central Asia that has established a 'Special Strategic Partnership' with South Korea. The countries that have such a partnership with South Korea include Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), totaling four countries.
In a written interview with Uzbekistan's state news agency 'Dunyo' the day before, President Yoon stated, "We will develop the relationship with Uzbekistan, the only 'Special Strategic Partner' and a key ally in Central Asia, into a more mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperative relationship."
Expressing closeness by calling Uzbekistan a 'brother country,' President Yoon emphasized, "We will strengthen cooperation in research and development (R&D) and human exchanges in advanced scientific technologies such as information and communication technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductors together with Uzbekistan." He presented a blueprint to jointly build a high-tech science and technology hub in Central Asia and create a 21st-century advanced scientific technology Silk Road.
An official from the Presidential Office explained, "Supporting Korean companies in winning orders for national energy and infrastructure projects, as well as strengthening support for the export activities of our companies in automobiles, auto parts, machinery, and equipment, is also a major purpose of this visit."
On the same day, President Yoon will attend the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum and deliver a keynote speech, and in the evening, he will participate in a state banquet with First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Concluding his three-day, two-night schedule in Uzbekistan, President Yoon is expected to return to Korea on the 16th, marking the end of his visit to the three Central Asian countries.
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