▲ President Lee Jae Myung speaks during the South Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul on Sept. 16, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ President Lee Jae Myung (3rd from R) poses for a photo with the presidents of five Central Asian nations during the South Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul on Sept. 16, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday called for strengthening cooperation between South Korea and Central Asian nations, highlighting what he called the spirit of the Silk Road that once bound the East and West through exchanges.

The South Korean president made the remarks in an opening speech at the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit, attended by the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to discuss cooperation.

Through the summit, Seoul seeks to diversify global supply chains by combining the region's rich reserves of critical minerals and energy resources with South Korea's exploration and processing skills.

"Today, the world is ushering in a new era of upheaval in which the economy, including supply chains, energy, markets and technology, and security are closely interconnected," Lee said.

At a time like this, "the 'Silk Road spirit' of Central Asia that connected people, technologies and cultures of the East and West as one is needed more than ever," he insisted. "Based on the foundation of cooperation built over the past three decades, we should prepare for another three decades together."

South Korea and the five Central Asian countries have built extensive cooperation and trust in trade, investment, infrastructure, education and culture through long-standing ties, Lee noted.

"The respective strengths of South Korea and Central Asia will provide unlimited opportunities to jointly address our respective challenges," Lee said, adding that by working together, they could accelerate the pursuit of mutual prosperity.

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]