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The Astana Times (14 September 2026)

Assel Satubaldina

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and the leaders of all five Central Asian states will meet in Seoul on Sept. 16 for their first summit, seeking to turn nearly two decades of ministerial dialogue into a leader-level partnership focused on critical minerals, energy and resilient supply chains. 

Lee has described Central Asia as a region of considerable growth potential, reported his press office. His office said the summit would establish a leader-level multilateral framework, diversify South Korea’s supply chains and give new momentum to its New Northern Policy, which seeks to deepen ties across Eurasia.

The summit’s significance, however, will hinge on whether the six governments can translate those ambitions into commercially viable projects with buyers, financing, transport routes and institutions responsible for implementation.

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