National Assembly speaker meets Kazakh president, vows 'future-oriented strategic partnership'

National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the National Assembly reception room on Wednesday to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.

Jo opened the meeting by welcoming Tokayev and his delegation to South Korea and the National Assembly. "I congratulate you on successfully completing the constitutional reform in March and the general election in August this year," he said.

He added that he was pleased to see the bilateral relationship elevated to a "future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership" on the occasion of Tokayev's visit, noting that the two countries had steadily expanded cooperation across multiple areas.

Jo also expressed optimism about deepening economic ties. "Kazakhstan is South Korea's largest trading partner and investment destination in Central Asia, and last year Samsung Electronics and Kia began local production at their factories there," he said. "I look forward to further strengthening cooperation in future industries such as energy supply chains and digital AI."

On people-to-people exchanges, Jo said he was pleased that the number of mutual visitors between the two countries exceeded 100,000 last year, and expressed hope that such exchanges would continue to grow.

Jo also touched on the historical bond between the two countries through the Korean diaspora. "Kazakhstan was the first country to welcome the Koryo-saram who migrated to Central Asia, and 120,000 of them still live there today," he said, expressing gratitude for the Kazakh government's support for the community.

He said South Koreans were deeply grateful to Tokayev for his role in facilitating the repatriation of the remains of independence fighter Gen. Hong Beom-do to his homeland.

Jo closed by expressing hope that the two countries would continue to advance along a path of mutual cooperation and shared prosperity, pledging that the National Assembly would actively support the development of bilateral relations.

Tokayev said South Korea was one of Kazakhstan's most trusted and friendly partners, adding that he was pleased to see active cooperation between the two countries' parliaments.

The Kazakh president also highlighted achievements in economic and social cooperation, noting that more than 1,000 joint ventures involving South Korean capital were operating in Kazakhstan and delivering successful projects. He said bilateral relations were developing across a wide range of fields, including education, science, healthcare, culture and tourism.

Tokayev added that next year would mark the 90th anniversary of the Koryo-saram's settlement in Kazakhstan, calling it a meaningful occasion he hoped both countries could commemorate together.

He also invited Jo to make an official visit to Kazakhstan and conveyed his intention to continue building inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.

After the meeting, Jo and Tokayev attended a Kazakh nomadic cultural heritage exchange event at Yeouido Park in Seoul. The two tried traditional Kazakh musical instruments and a traditional Kazakh bow, and watched a "Dance of Friendship" performance blending Kazakh and Korean traditional dance.