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HISTORICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND
UZBEKISTAN
Eshpolatova Maqsuda Baxtiyor kizi
Student of the University of Information Technologies and Management
Abstract:
This article analyzes the formation, development, and current stage of historical,
diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of
Uzbekistan. Official mutual visits, trade and economic relations, technological cooperation, and
exchanges in healthcare, education, and culture play an important role in strengthening bilateral
cooperation. The article also examines Uzbekistan’s foreign policy directions within the
framework of strategic partnership with Korea, joint projects, and the role of the Korean diaspora
in the socio-political life of the country. This paper highlights the prospects of Uzbekistan–Korea
relations and their importance for regional stability.
Keywords:
historical relations between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea, bilateral
cooperation, diplomatic relations, trade and economy, investment projects, technological
cooperation, exchanges in education and culture, official visits, strategic partnership, healthcare,
Korean diaspora, joint programs, and regional stability.
In Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, South Korea occupies an important place. As the First President
of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, emphasized: “Uzbekistan’s relations with the
Southeast Asian countries, which have acquired the status of newly industrialized nations, play a
key role in the development and consolidation of the state, as well as in the country's integration
into the global economy.” [1].
Thanks to independence, our peoples began to establish free relations in the economic and
cultural spheres. As a result of the interstate agreements signed in Tashkent in 1994 and in Seoul
in February 1995, joint ventures have started and continue to operate in Uzbekistan. These
enterprises are making a valuable contribution to the development of our country[2].
After the visits of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, to the
Republic of Korea in 1992, 1996, and 1999, the cooperation between Uzbekistan and South
Korea significantly expanded and began to cover many sectors.
During his visit to South Korea in June 1992, President I.A. Karimov familiarized himself with
the activities of the “Daewoo Public Motors” automobile plant, and a cooperation agreement was
signed with the company that same month. A large automobile plant began construction in the
city of Asaka in the Andijan region. In March 1996, the first “Damas” vehicle was produced at
the plant. From 1996, models like “Tico” and “Nexia” were also tested[3].
In order to further intensify efforts to attract foreign investment, the government of South Korea
compiled a list of 222 foreign companies that had expressed interest in exploring investment
opportunities in the Republic of Korea. According to available data, 105 of these companies had
already been identified, and the South Korean side intended to establish cooperation with them in
the near future (as of 1998) [4].
It is noteworthy that by 2005, representative offices of 28 major South Korean firms and
companies were operating in Uzbekistan. As a result of the state visit of the President of the
Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to the Republic of Korea from November 22 to 25,
2017, a Joint Statement on Comprehensive Expansion of Strategic Partnership was adopted.
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More than 20 intergovernmental, interstate, and interdepartmental agreements were signed, along
with a total of 64 documents in trade-economic, financial-technical, and other spheres,
amounting to over 10 billion USD. Of this amount, 4 billion USD consisted of direct Korean
investments [5].
Inter-parliamentary exchanges between the two countries are successfully developing. In 1995,
the “Korea–Uzbekistan” Friendship Association was established in the National Assembly of the
Republic of Korea. In 2005, a special group for cooperation with Korea was created in the
Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.
In September 2017, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea, Chung Sye-kyun, visited
Uzbekistan, and in February 2018, the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of
Uzbekistan, Nurdinjon Ismoilov, paid a visit to the Republic of Korea.
Since 1995, regular political consultations have been held between the Ministries of Foreign
Affairs of the two countries, with the twelfth round held in Tashkent in 2016.
The volume of investments made by South Korea into Uzbekistan’s economy has exceeded 7
billion USD.
Korean language, culture, and computer centers operate at the Uzbek State University of World
Languages and Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages. In total, Korean is taught at 13
higher education institutions and in 28 schools, lyceums, and colleges across the republic.
Currently, Uzbekistan’s higher education institutions cooperate with over 30 South Korean
universities and research centers to further develop scientific collaboration, enhance academic
exchanges between professors and students, and organize joint scientific conferences, symposia,
seminars, and research projects.
On October 1, 2014, a branch of Inha University of South Korea, specializing in training
personnel in computer engineering, software, and logistics, was opened in Tashkent.
From November 22 to 25, 2017, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev
paid a state visit to the Republic of Korea.
President Mirziyoyev participated in the Uzbekistan–South Korea Business Forum, attended by
heads of economic and financial institutions and leading entrepreneurs of both countries. He
emphasized the consistent development of trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and
South Korea and highlighted the creation of modern conditions and opportunities for doing
business in Uzbekistan. He reiterated Uzbekistan’s interest in expanding cooperation with South
Korean business representatives.
During the visit, a Korean-language book titled President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat
Mirziyoyev was presented in the Republic of Korea. Published in 50,000 copies, the book
contains 8 chapters and 320 pages, covering the President’s first year in office[6].
Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea have been steadily developing their relations on the basis
of key documents such as the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed in 2006 and the
Joint Declaration on Further Development and Deepening of the Strategic Partnership adopted in
2014. These agreements have elevated bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level across
political, trade-economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian spheres.
"Uzbekistan is one of our closest partners, and we are pleased with the steady development of
our cooperation in various fields. Today, the Republic of Korea is moving along the path of
promoting peace and prosperity throughout Eurasia. Uzbekistan, which occupies a key position
in Central Asia, is at the center of this vision," said the President of the Republic of Korea[7].
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The Republic of Korea is one of Uzbekistan’s leading trade, economic, and investment partners
in the Asia-Pacific region. By the end of 2016, the volume of bilateral trade exceeded 1 billion
USD. Uzbekistan accounts for nearly 50 percent of South Korea’s trade turnover with Central
Asian countries.
Cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea is broad in scope.
South Korean investments in Uzbekistan’s economy have surpassed 7 billion USD. Currently,
461 enterprises with South Korean capital are operating in Uzbekistan. Among them, 386 are
joint ventures, while 75 are fully funded by Korean investment. These enterprises are
successfully operating in sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, machinery, electrical
engineering, textiles, information and communication technologies, transport and logistics, and
tourism.
The Republic of Korea is actively assisting in the establishment and development of free
economic zones in Uzbekistan. In the Navoi Free Economic Zone, 20 enterprises from South
Korea, China, Italy, Singapore, India, the UAE, and other countries are operating. Since 2008,
Korean Air has been carrying out cargo transportation through Navoi International Airport and
has introduced advanced technologies and an efficient monitoring system there.
On October 24, 2017, a delegation from South Korea, led by Minister of Land, Infrastructure and
Transport Kim Hyun-mee, visited Uzbekistan to familiarize themselves with the “Tashkent City”
International Business Center project. The delegation included representatives of major
companies such as Korea Eximbank, Korea Expressway, Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd., POSCO
Engineering & Construction, and HSNK Architects Group. The investors paid special attention
to the favorable conditions created for business in Uzbekistan, particularly the liberalization of
the currency policy, and emphasized the importance of modern technologies and “smart city”
construction[8].
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea
are implementing a number of projects in Uzbekistan. Major corporations such as Samsung and
LG are establishing joint ventures in our country. In particular, Samsung has launched the
production of household appliances in cooperation with the Artel company.
Cultural and humanitarian ties are further strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Cultural Days of the Republic of Korea have been held in Uzbekistan. A House of Korean
Culture and Art is under construction. This project vividly reflects the high attention being given
to the Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan.
Cooperation in the field of education is also expanding. Higher education institutions in
Uzbekistan are establishing partnerships with more than 30 scientific research centers in South
Korea. Korean language and culture centers have been opened in several educational institutions.
The opening of Inha University in Tashkent in 2014 marked a new milestone in this
collaboration.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed a Joint Statement
on the comprehensive deepening of strategic partnership relations. Over 60 important documents
were signed in total. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat
Mirziyoyev, the President of the Republic of Korea, Moon Jae-in, paid a state visit to our country
on April 18–19, 2019
1
“Халқ сўзи” газетаси 2019-йил 19-апрель.
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During the talks, the parties also exchanged views on regional and international issues of
mutual interest. The Republic of Korea expressed its support for Uzbekistan’s practical efforts
aimed at strengthening a good-neighborly environment in the region, mitigating the
consequences of the Aral Sea disaster, and contributing to the peace process in Afghanistan.
Uzbekistan, in turn, endorsed the Republic of Korea’s peaceful policy aimed at promoting
reconciliation and unity on the Korean Peninsula. The broad-ranging negotiations primarily
focused on the development of practical cooperation in the areas of trade and economy,
investment, finance and technology, culture and humanitarian relations, and other key sectors.
List of references:
1.Buronov, O. The fight against infectious diseases of Uzbekistan on experience.(2024). Western
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2.Buronov, O. State policy aimed at increasing the potential of medical personnel in rural
medical centers. Looking back.№ 7.2023. Looking back, 7.
3.Buronov, O. (2025). Changes In The Murobak Gas Processing Plant In The Years Of
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4.Buronov, O. History of medical prevention and sanitary-epidemiological stability in rural areas.
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5.Buronov, O. History of medical prevention and sanitary-epidemiological stability in rural
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6.Murodullaevich, B. O. (2024). The fight against infectious diseases of Uzbekistan on
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7.Buronov, S. (2022). STRATEGIC FEATURES OF THE TRANS-AFGHAN TRANSPORT
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13.UzMA, F-M 7, 1st list, 342nd volume, P.11.
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17.“Xalq sozi” newspaper. November 26, 2017.
18.http://uza.uz/uz/politics/o’zbekiston-janubiy-koreya.
19. "Khalk Sozi" newspaper, April 19, 2019.
