Speaker calls for stronger parliamentary ties through Korea-Central Asia speakers' conference
National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik met with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Tuesday to discuss ways to strengthen practical cooperation between the two countries and expand inter-parliamentary exchanges.
Jo welcomed Mirziyoyev and his delegation to the National Assembly, noting it was the president's third visit following trips in 2017 and 2021. "Uzbekistan is the only country in Central Asia to have established a 'special strategic partnership' with South Korea," Jo said.
Jo said that since Mirziyoyev took office in 2016, bilateral trade has doubled in a decade, investment has grown fivefold, and people-to-people exchanges have nearly doubled. "This is the result of the president's reform and opening policies and the joint efforts of both countries," Jo said. "I look forward to the relationship advancing even further."
Jo also noted that next year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 90th anniversary of Koryo-saram settlement in Central Asia. "Uzbekistan is home to 170,000 Koryo-saram — the largest such community in Central Asia," he said. He expressed gratitude to President Lee Jae-myung for actively supporting projects for the ethnic Korean diaspora, including construction of a Koryo-saram history museum.
Jo also stressed the importance of inter-parliamentary exchanges, noting that South Korea and the five Central Asian nations hold an annual Korea-Central Asia parliamentary speakers' conference to consistently advance legislative cooperation. He asked for Mirziyoyev's continued attention and support for bilateral parliamentary ties.
In response, Mirziyoyev called South Korea "a cherished partner of Uzbekistan built on trust over many years." He expressed particular gratitude for South Korea's support in advancing an e-parliament project at the Uzbek lower house of parliament.
Mirziyoyev added that annual bilateral trade currently stands at $2 billion and said he would work to create favorable conditions for South Korean companies to operate more actively in Uzbekistan, with a goal of expanding trade to $5 billion in line with agreements reached between the two presidents.
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