Yoon "Development of Special Strategic Partnership" Mirziyoyev "Close Friend" (Summary)

Joint Press Release After Summit Meeting
First Export of Korean High-Speed Train Cars to Uzbekistan 'Great Achievement'

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Uzbekistan, is smiling and shaking hands with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev after a joint press conference between Korea and Uzbekistan at the Presidential Palace Guesthouse in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the 14th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

During his state visit to Uzbekistan, President Yoon held a summit meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the capital city of Tashkent on the 14th (local time) and stated, "We have agreed to develop the special strategic partnership between the two countries in a future-oriented manner."

After the summit meeting with President Mirziyoyev, President Yoon said in a joint press release, "We have decided to further expand cooperation in the infrastructure sector, which has long been a core area of collaboration between our two countries." The two leaders held their second summit today, following their meeting in New York last September during the UN General Assembly.

President Yoon emphasized, "Today, a contract for the export of high-speed rail vehicles to Uzbekistan was signed. This is the first export case of high-speed rail vehicles developed with our technology, contributing to the improvement of Uzbekistan's railway infrastructure and leading to expanded cooperation in all railway sectors between the two countries, including high-speed rail operations."

KTX Exported to Uzbekistan for the First Time, Worth 270 Billion KRW

Prior to the joint press release, Hyundai Rotem and Uzbekistan Railways signed a 'High-Speed Rail 6-Trainset Supply Contract' in the presence of the two presidents. The contract, worth 270 billion KRW, involves supplying a total of 42 cars, consisting of 7-car high-speed trains capable of speeds up to 250 km/h, marking the first overseas export of high-speed trains developed with Korean technology in 20 years since the KTX was launched in 2004.

Additionally, by signing the 'Uzbekistan District Heating Modernization Cooperation Agreement,' the foundation for bilateral cooperation related to district heating infrastructure was strengthened. President Yoon requested President Mirziyoyev's continued interest so that Korean companies can participate in Uzbekistan's national projects such as highways and water supply, creating many exemplary cases of infrastructure cooperation following the 'Surgil Gas Chemical Plant Project.'

The two countries also agreed to maximize synergy in supply chain cooperation by combining Uzbekistan's abundant mineral resources with Korea's advanced technology. President Yoon stated, "We have signed a 'Core Mineral Supply Chain Cooperation Partnership Agreement' targeting minerals such as tungsten and molybdenum, and will actively cooperate to allow Korean companies to participate first when economic feasibility is confirmed."

Furthermore, the two sides agreed to work together to ensure that the 'Rare Metals Center' project, which jointly develops refining technology necessary for producing high-purity rare metal products, achieves mutually beneficial results.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the expanded summit between South Korea and Uzbekistan with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, held at the Presidential Palace State Reception Hall in Tashkent on the 14th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Cooperation in defense and defense industry sectors will also be expanded. President Yoon said, "Bilateral cooperation, which has so far focused on joint exercises, military medical technology, and military education, will be expanded to include information and communications, cyber, border surveillance systems, and defense equipment such as aircraft, with both countries cooperating closely."

The two leaders celebrated together the international certification of the Uzbekistan National Children's Hospital, a model case of health and medical cooperation, and welcomed the finalization of bilateral negotiations between Korea and Uzbekistan for Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), with signing taking place on this occasion.

President Yoon stated, "The Republic of Korea, as the chair country of the Uzbekistan WTO accession working group, will actively support Uzbekistan's swift accession to the WTO."

Both countries agreed on the importance of improving public administration services and enhancing the capabilities of public officials. President Yoon said, "The Uzbekistan government has shown great interest in our government's public official training and public personnel administration cooperation. Taking this visit as an opportunity, the two countries have adopted a 'Cooperation Plan for Strengthening the Capacity of the Uzbekistan Government' and will proceed with related cooperation closely."

"Leaping into the Future Together with Brother Nation Uzbekistan"

Moreover, the two leaders discussed recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to continue participating in international efforts for North Korea's denuclearization. President Yoon expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan's consistent support of Korea's North Korea policy as a leading country in non-proliferation.

President Yoon provided a detailed explanation of the Korean government's first Central Asia strategy, the 'K-Silk Road Cooperation Initiative.' He said, "I would like to once again thank President Mirziyoyev for his full support of our initiative and the plan to hold the 'Korea-Central Asia Summit' next year. Based on this cooperation initiative, the Republic of Korea will leap into the future together with Uzbekistan, a brother nation that warmly embraced the Koryo-saram (ethnic Koreans) 87 years ago."

He added, "Our government will faithfully implement the cooperation measures agreed upon today with President Mirziyoyev and further develop our 'special strategic partnership.'"

Uzbek President Supports 'Bold Initiative' for Stability and Peace on the Korean Peninsula

President Mirziyoyev said, "Korea has developed very strongly not only in the Asian region but also globally in recent years, and I want to emphasize that it is our special strategic partner. Despite the distance between us, our peoples, traditions, values, and worldviews are very similar."

He added, "As a close special strategic partner, I am pleased with these achievements. As a close friend of Korea, I am truly proud of the great accomplishments of the diligent and kind Korean people."

He further stated, "It is truly joyful news that President Yoon visited Uzbekistan with more than 80 businesspeople. I am confident that nearly 10 billion dollars worth of new projects prepared at the business forum we will hold today will be a great driving force for economic cooperation between our two countries."

He also said, "I support President Yoon's bold initiative to promote stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula and express gratitude for Korea's support in Uzbekistan's WTO accession process." President Mirziyoyev expressed expectations that about 20 joint statements to deepen and comprehensively expand the special strategic partnership will contribute to the expansion of bilateral relations.