South Korea's Lee Jae Myung to hold bilateral summits with Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan leaders
Synopsis
South Korea is making its boldest Central Asia diplomatic push yet — President Lee Jae Myung is signing 26 MOUs across two back-to-back summits with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, upgrading ties with Astana to a comprehensive strategic partnership, all under the umbrella of the first-ever South Korea-Central Asia Summit. Energy security and critical minerals are the real prize.
Key Takeaways
President Lee Jae Myung holds bilateral summits with Turkmenistan's Serdar Berdimuhamedow and Kazakhstan's Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on 15 September 2026 in Seoul .
A total of 26 MOUs and agreements — 13 with Turkmenistan and 13 with Kazakhstan — are set to be signed.
South Korea and Kazakhstan plan to upgrade their bilateral ties to a future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership .
Cooperation in energy, critical minerals, AI, and science are central to both summits.
The meetings are held on the sidelines of the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit , which also includes leaders from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan .
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to hold back-to-back bilateral summits with the presidents of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, with cooperation in energy and critical minerals topping the agenda, according to his office. The meetings take place on the sidelines of the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul.
The Diplomatic Backdrop
The summits are part of a broader diplomatic push as South Korea deepens its engagement with Central Asia. The inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit will bring together the heads of state of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday. Lee had already held a bilateral meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday, setting the tone for a week of intensive multilateral diplomacy.
Lee-Berdimuhamedow Summit: 13 Agreements on the Table
During his summit with Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, President Lee plans to explore avenues for increased practical cooperation, alongside regional and global issues, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung in a written briefing. The talks will be followed by a signing ceremony to exchange 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs), with both leaders in attendance.
A state luncheon will be hosted for Berdimuhamedow, featuring authentic Korean cuisine curated to reflect the Turkmen leader's personal tastes and the culinary heritage of both nations. As a gesture of goodwill, Lee is set to present Berdimuhamedow — reportedly an avid horseback rider — with a picture frame depicting a hunting scene from the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo (37 B.C.–A.D. 668).
Lee-Tokayev Summit: A Strategic Partnership Upgrade
Lee's summit with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is expected to cover a wider canvas: the economy and trade, energy and critical minerals, artificial intelligence, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries plan to formally upgrade their bilateral relationship to a future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership, establishing a foundation for deeper collaboration in economic security and cutting-edge industries.
Another ceremony will follow to exchange 13 bilateral MOUs. A state dinner will be hosted for Tokayev, at which Lee plans to present him with a table tennis racket — acknowledging the Kazakh leader's known affinity for the sport — and a taekwondo uniform, marking Kazakhstan's upcoming hosting of the World Taekwondo Championships.
Why This Week Matters
This diplomatic blitz comes as South Korea seeks to diversify its supply chains for critical minerals — a strategic imperative that has gained urgency amid global competition over rare earths and energy resources. Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, holds significant reserves of hydrocarbons and key minerals that align with Seoul's industrial and energy security needs. Notably, the inaugural format of the South Korea-Central Asia Summit signals Seoul's intent to institutionalise engagement with the region beyond one-off bilateral ties.
All eyes will be on whether the 26 total MOUs signed across both summits translate into concrete project timelines — a challenge that has historically accompanied such multi-agreement diplomatic events.
Point of View
High-tech economy cannot afford to remain vulnerable to concentrated mineral supply chains. The upgrade of the Kazakhstan relationship to a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' is significant — but the real test will be how many of the 26 MOUs signed this week convert into operational projects with clear timelines. History suggests that high-volume MOU signings at inaugural summits often outrun implementation capacity on both sides.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South Korea-Central Asia Summit?
The South Korea-Central Asia Summit is an inaugural multilateral diplomatic event in Seoul that brings together the heads of state of South Korea, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. It marks South Korea's first structured effort to institutionalise engagement with the Central Asian region at the highest level.
What will South Korea and Kazakhstan agree on at the summit?
South Korea and Kazakhstan plan to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a future-oriented comprehensive strategic partnership, covering the economy and trade, energy and critical minerals, artificial intelligence, science and technology, and cultural exchanges. The summit will also see the signing of 13 bilateral MOUs.
Why are energy and critical minerals central to these summits?
South Korea's advanced manufacturing and technology sectors depend heavily on stable supplies of critical minerals and energy resources, which Central Asian nations possess in abundance. Diversifying supply chains has become a strategic priority for Seoul amid global competition over rare earths and hydrocarbons.
How many agreements will be signed across the two summits?
A total of 26 documents — 13 agreements and MOUs with Turkmenistan and 13 with Kazakhstan — are set to be exchanged at signing ceremonies following each bilateral summit on 15 September 2026.
Which other Central Asian leaders is President Lee meeting this week?
President Lee held a bilateral summit with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday, and the broader South Korea-Central Asia Summit on Wednesday will include the heads of state of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan alongside the leaders already meeting bilaterally.
