A roundtable dedicated to the celebration of the Republic Day (Kazakhstan) has been held in Seoul under the theme “Kazakhstan and South Korea: Advancing the Enhanced Strategic Partnership”.
The event brought together Korea’s diplomatic, academic and business communities - including journalists and students, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.
Among the distinguished guests were Kwak Young Gil, President of Aju News Corporation and Chairman of the Kazakhstan-Korea Friendship Association; Rhee Jong Kook, Executive Director of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat; Ha Tae Youk, Chief of the Local Diplomacy Office of the Governors Association of the Republic of Korea (GAROK); former ambassadors to Kazakhstan Kim Dae Sik and Baik Joo Hyeon; Kim Young Sang, President of The Korea Herald; Lee Ok Ryun, President of the Korea-Central Asia Friendship Association; Hee Han, President of the Seoul Media Institute of Technology; professors from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS); and representatives from business, legal, media and cultural sectors.
In his remarks, Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov quoted the words of President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev: “the Republic Day symbolizes the centuries‑old dream of the Kazakh people for independence and statehood.” The ambassador highlighted Kazakhstan’s achievements in economy, diplomacy, innovation and social development since independence.
Ambassador Arystanov also outlined key directions of Kazakhstan’s domestic and foreign policy under the Head of State, including the development of artificial intelligence, introduction of water‑saving technologies, creation of smart cities, and reform of Parliament. He emphasized the growing enhanced strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and South Korea, noting the steady expansion of political dialogue, economic cooperation and people‑to‑people exchanges.
He noted that South Korea is among Kazakhstan’s top three foreign investors and top ten trading partners. Major Korean companies such as Shinhan Bank, BNK Bank, Hyundai, KIA and Samsung Electronics are operating successfully in Kazakhstan. The ambassador also mentioned several new joint projects launched in 2025, including the KIA car plant in Kostanay, the Open Healthcare medical center in Almaty and Samsung Electronics home‑appliance production.
In terms of people‑to‑people ties, there has been a noticeable increase in exchanges: the number of weekly flights between the countries has risen to 20, while in the first half of 2025 the number of Korean visitors to Kazakhstan grew by 28 per cent (17,202 people) and Kazakh visitors to Korea rose by 19.4 per cent (37,737 people).
During the open discussion, attendees shared views on cooperation prospects at regional, academic and educational levels. Representing GAROK, Ambassador Ha Tae‑youk emphasized the importance of subnational diplomacy and highlighted the successful hosting of the Central Asia-Korea Regional Cooperation Forum in Turkistan in September 2025.
Participants of the roundtable extended congratulations to the people of Kazakhstan on Republic Day, acknowledged the country’s progress since independence and expressed confidence that further development of the strategic partnership will reinforce stability, prosperity and friendship between Kazakhstan and South Korea.
