Lee calls Kazakhstan 'key partner' for economic security as two countries sign 13 MOUs

President Lee Jae Myung held a summit with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday, calling Kazakhstan "an important cooperative partner for South Korea's economic security."

Speaking at the summit that afternoon at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee said the two countries share a common diplomatic orientation. "South Korea and Kazakhstan are both pursuing pragmatic diplomacy that expands the scope of external cooperation and prioritizes national interests and tangible results," he said.

Lee opened by expressing gratitude to Tokayev, noting that the remains of independence hero Gen. Hong Beom-do were repatriated five years ago thanks to the Kazakh president's active cooperation, which he said had deepened mutual trust between the two nations.

Lee said the international community is navigating an era of multiple, overlapping crises — geopolitical conflict, supply chain restructuring, transnational crime and energy security concerns. "In this environment, having trustworthy partners in the international community has become more important than ever in order to strengthen resilience against external shocks and secure a foundation for sustainable growth," he said.

He went on to say that Kazakhstan is not only rich in energy and natural resources but also holds significant potential in future advanced industries, making it "an important cooperative partner in the area of South Korea's economic security."

Lee added that he believed the summit would serve as a meaningful occasion to discuss various ways to improve the lives of both nations' citizens and achieve shared prosperity.

Tokayev responded by announcing that the two countries had decided to elevate their relationship to a "future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership." "We can say there are good outcomes and results in each area of our cooperation. Kazakhstan and South Korea are strategic partners," he said.

He also noted that South Korea had invested $12 billion in the Kazakh economy, adding that major South Korean conglomerates — well known around the world — have successfully established a presence in Kazakhstan.

On the sidelines of the summit, the two governments signed 13 agreements and MOUs.

The two countries concluded a framework agreement on crude oil cooperation, committing to respond to global crude supply disruptions and to supply Kazakh crude oil, including output from Korea National Oil Corp.

Under the agreement, the two sides will strengthen substantive cooperation across the entire crude oil value chain in Kazakhstan — covering oilfield development and petrochemicals — on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and economic efficiency.

South Korea's minister of trade, industry and energy and the minister of climate, environment and energy each signed separate MOUs with Kazakhstan's nuclear energy authority — one on building cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and another on the peaceful use of nuclear power. The agreements cover joint research and development on nuclear power plants and small modular reactors, exchange of nuclear industry policy information, cooperation to secure the stability of nuclear fuel supply chains, and technical support in nuclear and radiation safety.

Cheong Wa Dae said the agreements would help South Korean companies enter Kazakhstan's new nuclear power plant projects and strengthen cooperation on fuel supply chains with Kazakhstan — one of the world's leading uranium producers — to bolster energy security.