BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 15. Kazakh
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and South Korean President Lee Jae
Myung confirmed their determination to further strengthen the
strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and South Korea and fill
it with new practical content.
This was announced by the press service of the Kazakh president
following the meeting in a narrow format in Seoul.
During the meeting, the two sides expressed readiness to develop
long-term cooperation and provide comprehensive mutual support when
necessary.
Tokayev thanked Lee for the invitation to visit South Korea and
highlighted the strategic nature of bilateral relations.
“South Korea is a strategic partner of Kazakhstan. Our peoples
have long been connected by strong ties of friendship and mutual
understanding, as well as close cultural and humanitarian
relations. There are no contradictions or disagreements between our
countries. Our goal is to comprehensively develop bilateral
relations,” Tokayev said.
He noted that a business forum had been held with the
participation of a representative delegation of Kazakh business
circles and that promising projects were being implemented in
various sectors.
Tokayev also highlighted the Alatau City project, saying that
the two sides had discussed its further development in detail.
“This is indeed a very important project, which we attach great
importance to. Provisions concerning the status of this city have
been incorporated into the Constitution. Korean companies will be
provided with all legal guarantees,” he said.
Tokayev also noted that more than 120,000 ethnic Koreans live in
Kazakhstan and said they are active members of Kazakh society.
The Kazakh president also highlighted the return of the remains
of Korean General Hong Beom-do to South Korea.
“I am well familiar with the history of General Hong Beom-do. He
was a true hero and patriot. We can say with full confidence that
preserving his memory was an expression of mutual wisdom. It is
remarkable that even more than 100 years later, the Korean people
have not forgotten their general. Paying tribute to his memory, we
returned his remains to his homeland, thereby fulfilling our civic
duty,” Tokayev said.
He said commercial agreements worth $19 billion had been signed
during his visit.
“As for bilateral relations, commercial agreements worth $19
billion were signed during this visit. We are satisfied with our
cooperation with Korean investors and are ready to continue working
with them. There are good plans for the construction of hotels, an
oil refinery and urban development. Particular attention is being
paid to strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties,” Tokayev
said.
Lee, in turn, welcomed Tokayev to Seoul and emphasized the
significance of his visit.
“We thank you for your decision to return the remains of General
Hong Beom-do, who played a special role in Korea's history and in
protecting the Korean people during difficult times. Korean
citizens were warmly welcomed in Kazakhstan at the time. We are
grateful to you and the Kazakh people for this,” Lee said.
