(Yonhap Interview) Kazakhstan seeks to deepen economic ties with S. Korea beyond autos into high-tech, key minerals

This will let Google show Yonhap news articles that match or are related to your search

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- Kazakhstan is seeking to expand economic cooperation with South Korea beyond the automotive industry into artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals and other advanced sectors, Kazakhstan's top diplomat said Monday.

Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi made the remarks in a written interview with Yonhap News Agency, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is scheduled to visit South Korea for the first South Korea-Central Asia Summit this week.

The inaugural multilateral summit will be held in Seoul on Wednesday, bringing together the leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to discuss cooperation in such areas as critical minerals, energy and supply chain diversification.

Shown in this photo provided by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in South Korea is Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

"The forthcoming state visit is particularly important because Kazakhstan-Korea relations already rest on a solid economic and investment foundation, and we now have an opportunity to move our cooperation to a higher level," Tileuberdi said.

"Korea and Central Asia have complementary economic strengths. Korea has advanced technologies, industrial expertise and capital. Central Asia has significant natural resources, energy capacity, growing markets and an important geographic position," he added.

Bilateral trade reached US$3.17 billion in 2025, while hundreds of South Korean companies operate in Kazakhstan, including Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. and Doosan.

Korean investment has translated into factories, jobs, local production and technology transfer, with Hyundai and Kia's operations serving as prominent examples. Hyundai operates an automobile manufacturing facility in Almaty, while Kia has launched a major production facility in Kostanay.

But Kazakhstan sees the automotive industry as a model for broader industrial cooperation.

"Our two countries are currently working on 46 industrial cooperation projects with a combined value of around $4 billion, covering automobile production, engineering, metallurgy, electronics and other sectors," Tileuberdi said.

"This is the model we would like to expand: Korean technology and investment combined with production, local suppliers and skilled personnel in Kazakhstan," he added.

Tileuberdi identified AI and data infrastructure as promising areas for new joint projects, saying Kazakhstan's expanding computing and data center capacity could create opportunities for Korean companies in areas such as data centers, power infrastructure and cooling technologies.

Critical minerals are another priority, as the country has significant reserves of uranium, copper, chromium, zinc and other minerals needed by modern industries.

"Our priority, however, is not simply to export raw materials. We are interested in processing, higher value-added production and integration into Korean industrial supply chains, including batteries, electronics and other high-tech sectors," the minister said.

This file photo, taken July 12, 2022, shows a production line at Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan's plant. (Yonhap)

Tileuberdi also highlighted Kazakhstan's geographic position as an advantage for Korean companies seeking to diversify their supply chains. Kazakhstan, Central Asia's largest economy, sits along key trade routes linking Asia and Europe, and is investing in railways and the Trans-Caspian transport corridor.

"For Korean companies, Kazakhstan's value lies in the combination of market size, industrial capacity, resources and geography," he said.

Tileuberdi said the upcoming summit should focus on concrete implementation rather than simply setting broad goals.

"The practical value of the summit should therefore be measured by what follows it. We would like to see specific projects, clearly identified partners, appropriate financing mechanisms and realistic implementation timelines," he stressed.

The minister also emphasized that the bilateral relationship has "a human foundation that goes well beyond economics," which he said "provides the trust on which long-term relations between our two countries are built."

Koreans have lived in Kazakhstan for nearly nine decades and have made contributions to science, culture, business and public life, he said. Next year will mark the 90th anniversary of the relocation of Koreans to Central Asia in 1937.

The legacy of Korean independence fighter Hong Beom-do (1868-1943), who spent his later years in Kazakhstan, remains "a powerful symbol" connecting the two peoples, the minister said.

Tileuberdi also has a personal connection to South Korea. He studied at Seoul's Yonsei University and served as a young Kazakh diplomat at his country's embassy in Seoul in the 1990s.

"It is also deeply gratifying to see how far the relationship between Kazakhstan and Korea has come since those early years of our diplomatic ties," he said.

South Korea and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations in 1992 and upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in 2009.

South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan (L) speaks with Uzbek Investment, Industry and Trade Minister Laziz Kudratov in Seoul on June 26, 2026, in this file photo provided by Kim's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

graceoh@yna.co.kr (END)

Seoul to hold 1st Central Asia summit, discuss critical minerals, supply chain cooperation

Kazakhstan designated as workforce-sending country

S. Korea, Kazakhstan discuss deeper cooperation in energy, supply chains

National security adviser to visit Kazakhstan to discuss regional security, energy supply chains

BTS concludes N. American tour with record-breaking LA shows

BTS' Jungkook hits 500 mln Spotify streams with self-written 'Still With You'

(LEAD) Philippine defense chief slams China over audience note on South China Sea at Seoul forum

Son Ye-jin returns to historical drama in remake of 'The Scandal'

Badminton star An Se-young determined to enjoy herself in Asian Games title defense

(News Focus) S. Korea faces high-stakes decision on potential Hormuz Strait deployment

'The Odyssey' tops weekend box office for 5th week

(2nd LD) S. Korea's nominal GDP grows at fastest pace in 47 years in Q2; $40,000 per capita GNI on track

N. Korean state media again silent on missile launches

(2nd LD) Gender minister nominee withdraws from consideration amid mounting controversy

(3rd LD) N. Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

Employment among people in their 20s falls at fastest pace since 1998

(2nd LD) Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' wins Grand Jury Prize at Venice film fest

Uzbek president arrives in S. Korea

Rally against troop dispatch to Strait of Hormuz

Men's nat'l football coach Moreno

Faker at LCK playoffs

(Yonhap Interview) Kazakhstan seeks to deepen economic ties with S. Korea beyond autos into high-tech, key minerals

这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章。

首尔，9月14日（韩联社）——哈萨克斯坦最高外交官周一表示，哈萨克斯坦正寻求将与韩国的经济合作从汽车行业扩展到人工智能、关键矿产和其他先进领域。

哈萨克斯坦外交部长穆赫塔尔·特列乌别尔迪在接受韩联社书面采访时发表了上述言论。哈萨克斯坦总统卡西姆-若马尔特·托卡耶夫计划于本周访问韩国，出席首届韩国—中亚峰会。

首届多边峰会将于周三在首尔举行，届时哈萨克斯坦、乌兹别克斯坦、土库曼斯坦、塔吉克斯坦和吉尔吉斯斯坦的领导人将齐聚一堂，讨论在关键矿产、能源和供应链多元化等领域的合作。

这张由哈萨克斯坦驻韩国大使馆提供的照片显示的是哈萨克斯坦外交部长穆赫塔尔·特列乌别尔迪。（照片不得出售）（韩联社）

“即将进行的国事访问尤为重要，因为哈萨克斯坦与韩国的关系已经建立在坚实的经济和投资基础之上，我们现在有机会将我们的合作提升到更高的水平，”蒂列乌别尔迪说。

“韩国和中亚的经济优势互补。韩国拥有先进的技术、工业专长和资本。中亚拥有丰富的自然资源、能源能力、不断增长的市场和重要的地理位置，”他补充道。

到 2025 年，双边贸易额将达到 31.7 亿美元，同时，数百家韩国公司在哈萨克斯坦开展业务，其中包括现代汽车公司、起亚汽车公司、三星电子公司和斗山汽车公司。

韩国的投资已转化为工厂、就业机会、本地生产和技术转让，现代和起亚的运营就是突出的例证。现代在阿拉木图运营着一家汽车制造厂，而起亚则在科斯塔奈开设了一家大型生产基地。

但哈萨克斯坦将汽车产业视为更广泛的产业合作的典范。

“我们两国目前正在开展 46 个工业合作项目，总价值约 40 亿美元，涵盖汽车生产、工程、冶金、电子等领域，”蒂莱乌贝迪说。

“我们希望推广这种模式：将韩国的技术和投资与哈萨克斯坦的生产、当地供应商和熟练人员相结合，”他补充道。

Tileuberdi 认为人工智能和数据基础设施是开展新合作项目的有前景的领域，并表示哈萨克斯坦不断扩大的计算和数据中心容量可以为韩国公司在数据中心、电力基础设施和冷却技术等领域创造机会。

关键矿产是另一项优先事项，因为该国拥有大量的铀、铜、铬、锌和其他现代工业所需的矿产资源。

“然而，我们的首要任务不仅仅是出口原材料。我们感兴趣的是加工、高附加值生产以及融入韩国工业供应链，包括电池、电子产品和其他高科技领域，”这位部长说。

这张摄于2022年7月12日的资料照片显示了现代汽车哈萨克斯坦工厂的一条生产线。（韩联社）

蒂列乌别尔迪还强调，哈萨克斯坦的地理位置对寻求供应链多元化的韩国企业来说是一项优势。哈萨克斯坦是中亚最大的经济体，位于连接亚欧大陆的重要贸易路线上，并且正在投资铁路和跨里海运输走廊。

他说：“对于韩国企业而言，哈萨克斯坦的价值在于其市场规模、工业能力、资源和地理位置的综合优势。”

蒂莱乌贝尔迪表示，即将召开的峰会应该注重具体落实，而不是仅仅设定宽泛的目标。

“因此，峰会的实际价值应该通过其后续行动来衡量。我们希望看到具体的项目、明确的合作伙伴、适当的融资机制和切实可行的实施时间表，”他强调说。

这位部长还强调，双边关系“有着超越经济的人文基础”，他说，这种人文基础“为我们两国建立长期关系提供了信任”。

他说，韩国人在哈萨克斯坦生活了近九十年，为科学、文化、商业和公共生活做出了贡献。明年将是1937年韩国人迁往中亚90周年纪念。

这位部长表示，韩国独立运动领袖洪范道（1868-1943）晚年在哈萨克斯坦度过，他的精神遗产仍然是连接两国人民的“有力象征”。

蒂莱乌贝迪也与韩国有着个人联系。他曾在首尔延世大学学习，并在上世纪90年代担任哈萨克斯坦驻首尔大使馆的年轻外交官。

“看到哈萨克斯坦和韩国自建交初期以来关系取得了如此大的进展，我深感欣慰，”他说。

韩国和哈萨克斯坦于 1992 年建立外交关系，并于 2009 年将两国关系提升为战略伙伴关系。

2026年6月26日，韩国产业通商资源部长官金正宽（左）在首尔与乌兹别克斯坦投资、产业和贸易部长拉齐兹·库德拉托夫交谈。（此照片由金正宽办公室提供。）（照片不得出售）（韩联社）

graceoh@yna.co.kr (完)

首尔将举办首届中亚峰会，讨论关键矿产和供应链合作等议题。

哈萨克斯坦被指定为劳动力输出国

韩国和哈萨克斯坦讨论在能源和供应链领域深化合作

国家安全顾问将访问哈萨克斯坦，讨论地区安全和能源供应链问题。

BTS北美巡演圆满落幕，洛杉矶站演出打破多项纪录。

BTS成员柾国凭借自作曲《Still With You》在Spotify上的播放量突破5亿次。

（导语）菲律宾国防部长抨击中国在首尔论坛上就南海问题发表的发言。

孙艺珍回归古装剧​​，翻拍《绯闻》

羽毛球明星安世荣决心在亚运会卫冕战中尽情享受比赛。

（新闻焦点）韩国面临是否在霍尔木兹海峡部署武器的高风险决定。

《奥德赛》连续第五周蝉联周末票房冠军

（第二部分）韩国第二季度名义GDP增速创47年来最快；人均国民总收入有望达到4万美元

朝鲜官方媒体再次对导弹发射保持沉默。

（第二轮投票）性别平等部长提名人选因争议不断而退出竞选

（第三份报告）朝鲜向东海发射多枚短程弹道导弹：联合参谋本部

20多岁人群的就业率下降速度为1998年以来最快。

（第二条）李沧东执导的《可能的爱》荣获威尼斯电影节评审团大奖

乌兹别克斯坦总统抵达韩国

集会反对向霍尔木兹海峡派遣军队

男子国家足球队教练莫雷诺

Faker在LCK季后赛

（韩联社采访）哈萨克斯坦寻求深化与韩国的经济联系，从汽车领域拓展到高科技和关键矿产领域。