[Korea–Uzbekistan Summit Call] Advancing the Special Strategic Partnership (July 24, 2025)

Korea–Uzbekistan Summit Call Thumbnail: Advancing the Special Strategic Partnership (July 24, 2025)

[Korea–Uzbekistan Summit Call] Advancing the Special Strategic Partnership (July 24, 2025)

Overview: President Lee’s first phone call with President Mirziyoyev

On July 24, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung held his first telephone conversation since taking office with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. Beyond ceremonial courtesy, the call functioned as an opening move to re-energize Korea–Uzbekistan ties and to add concrete substance to the two countries’ Special Strategic Partnership. The two leaders reaffirmed long-standing cooperation in transport and infrastructure, and signaled a shared intent to expand practical, mutually beneficial collaboration. Notably, President Lee asked for the Uzbek government’s attention and support for Korean companies operating in Uzbekistan—an explicit cue that Seoul’s economic diplomacy will prioritize business predictability and problem-solving on the ground.

Key takeaways at a glance

  • First leaders’ call: Reopens top-level communication under Korea’s new administration, marking the start of an upgrade track for bilateral ties.
  • “Special Strategic Partnership” in action: Intention to deepen cooperation across transport, infrastructure, energy transition, and digital/smart solutions—moving from titles to tangible pipelines.
  • Pro-business emphasis: Elevating corporate grievances to the leaders’ agenda points to a results-first approach that spans planning → execution → operation.

Why Uzbekistan, and why now?

Uzbekistan sits at the demographic and economic center of Central Asia, serving as a strategic hub for transport corridors and logistics. For Korea, the country is a complementary partner in supply-chain resilience, market diversification, and emerging sectors such as renewable energy, hydrogen, smart cities, and digital government. By foregrounding the Special Strategic Partnership from the outset, President Lee effectively signaled a push toward institutionalized, scalable cooperation rather than one-off, project-limited ties.

Recent years have brought steady reforms in Uzbekistan focused on opening and improving the investment climate. This creates a window for Korean firms to secure first-mover advantages while encouraging both governments to co-design a business environment anchored in transparent rules and the rule of law. In this context, the call is meaningful not only for its diplomatic optics but also for its potential to upgrade bilateral governance frameworks that underpin private-sector success.

Policy context: Putting “Special Strategic Partnership” to work

1) Transport & infrastructure: From EPC to lifecycle value

Korea and Uzbekistan already share a track record in railways, roads, and urban infrastructure. Re-emphasizing this pillar hints at a shift from stand-alone EPC to full lifecycle collaboration—covering design, construction, operation & maintenance (O&M), and digital upgrades such as ITS, digital twins, and eco-friendly materials/equipment. This moves Korean strengths up the value chain while aligning with Uzbekistan’s modernization agenda.

2) Energy & resources: Efficiency and clean transition

Uzbekistan’s strengths in natural gas and minerals intersect with pressing needs in power efficiency, grid modernization, renewable rollout, and hydrogen pilots. Korea brings competitive capabilities in high-efficiency equipment, smart grids, and energy management systems (EMS). Together, both sides can co-develop bankable, climate-aligned transition packages that balance sustainability with reliability.

3) Digital & smart solutions: Triple impact for government, citizens, and industry

e-Government, digital health, and smart-city solutions are among Korea’s most exportable public-service platforms. Coupled with Uzbekistan’s rapid digitalization, there is scope to simultaneously lift administrative efficiency, citizen experience, and industrial productivity. These items are well-suited to PPP structures and blended finance models (e.g., ODA plus commercial capital), enabling sustainable returns while preserving public value.

Economic diplomacy, sharpened: Corporate issues at leaders’ level

By explicitly raising corporate difficulties, President Lee made clear that Korea’s economic diplomacy intends to cover not only deal origination but also operational risk management. In markets where investment registration, taxation, customs, labor, FX exposure, and contract enforcement can make or break business plans, government-to-government channels to expedite solutions become a decisive advantage.

If paired with institutionalized grievance redress—clear points of contact, time-bound processing, and standardized procedures—this can translate into durable market trust. That trust, in turn, accelerates both new investment and reinvestment, expanding the bilateral cooperation “pie.” In practice, the quality of economic diplomacy is often proven in aftercare. As a first call, the message is unmistakable: expect faster, more predictable resolution paths for Korean firms.

Political and diplomatic reading: Continuity with a difference

Korea’s outreach to Central Asia has enjoyed steady cross-administration continuity. The Lee administration’s hallmark is to embed that continuity in a results-driven, livelihood-centric governance approach—linking diplomacy to jobs, exports, and stable business operations. The Korea–Uzbekistan call exemplifies this shift from event-centered coverage to performance-centered engagement.

Uzbekistan is also key to regional balance in Korea’s broader strategy: large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, rapidly growing digital needs, and the potential for expanded people-to-people exchanges. If this momentum proceeds to leader visits and ministerial strategic dialogues, we could see a practical upgrade of the partnership—modernized investment protections, enhanced double-taxation arrangements, and clearer dispute-resolution mechanisms.

What’s next: From signal to roadmap

  1. Regularize high-level consultations: Build a roadmap within the next 6–12 months. Likely pillars: infrastructure, energy transition, digital government, education, and health.
  2. Detail the project pipeline: Package proposals that blend smart transport (e.g., ITS, smart-city corridors), power efficiency and renewables, and logistics/industrial hubs with joint operation models.
  3. Institutionalize grievance redress: Establish or refine a joint platform involving both governments, chambers of commerce, and relevant agencies, with standardized procedures and timelines.
  4. Expand human-capital partnerships: TVET, university/research links, and localized K-digital education programs.
  5. Mobilize finance: Combine EDCF, export finance, and guarantees to de-risk early stages and crowd in private capital.

Full text of the presidential office briefing (EN translation)

Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung’s Written Briefing on the Korea–Uzbekistan Summit Phone Call

July 24, 2025
President Lee Jae-myung holds first phone call with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan

President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone call since taking office with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan today (Thu, July 24).

President Lee expressed appreciation for President Mirziyoyev’s congratulatory letter on his inauguration and proposed close cooperation so that the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries can advance to a higher level. President Mirziyoyev stated that he holds a special affection for Korea and hopes to further develop bilateral relations as Korea’s new government takes office.

The two leaders noted with appreciation that the two countries have maintained close, practical cooperation in various fields, including transport and infrastructure, and agreed to continue efforts to broaden mutually beneficial cooperation. President Lee also asked for President Mirziyoyev’s attention and support regarding the difficulties faced by Korean companies operating in Uzbekistan.

July 24, 2025
Kang Yoo-jung, Spokesperson for the Office of the President

Further reading

This post is based on materials provided by the official source.

Closing

The Korea–Uzbekistan leaders’ call is the first step toward putting the Special Strategic Partnership on a results-focused footing. By putting corporate issue resolution on the agenda, President Lee highlighted an economic-diplomacy model that aims for measurable outcomes along the full project lifecycle. With momentum in transport & infrastructure, energy transition, and digital government/smart-city solutions, the next phase should translate intent into institutional upgrades and bankable projects.

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