On Tuesday, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concluded an official visit to South Korea, where the two countries signed commercial agreements worth €16.5 billion. The deals span energy, critical minerals, automotive manufacturing, and logistics, reflecting a broader effort to deepen ties between Astana and Seoul.
Speaking alongside South Korean Prime Minister Han Seongsook, Tokayev called for doubling bilateral trade, which reached €2.6 billion last year. "To achieve this, it is important not only to increase volumes, but also to qualitatively transform the structure of trade and expand the range of high-value-added goods," he said. The two sides are developing a Comprehensive Program for Trade, Economic, and Investment Cooperation for 2027–2030, and Tokayev proposed a roadmap for industrial cooperation.
In a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Tokayev highlighted the productive nature of the visit. "We are firmly committed to taking our cooperation to a qualitatively new level and comprehensively strengthening the bonds of friendship and partnership," he said. The leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a Future-Oriented Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Critical minerals and energy security
For South Korea, the main interest lies in securing raw and critical materials. President Lee welcomed the signing of a Framework Agreement on Crude Oil Cooperation, which details the import of 18 million barrels of crude oil from Kazakhstan. Seoul decided on this purchase in April to mitigate the effects of Middle East instability on oil supplies.
Lee also welcomed the establishment of a Rare Metals Technology Cooperation Center in Almaty. Kazakhstan pledged to increase supplies of materials and components for microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturing, which are essential for producing everything from smartphones to electric vehicles.
For Kazakhstan, South Korea represents a source of technological advancement and capital. Negotiations covered construction, car manufacturing, oil and gas processing, digital technologies, food processing, and logistics. Tokayev invited Korean companies to expand their presence in gas processing, petrochemicals, and energy infrastructure, noting that Hyundai Engineering is already involved in the Karachaganak gas processing plant.
Middle Corridor and automotive ambitions
Tokayev also pushed for deeper cooperation on the Middle Corridor, the trade route linking China and Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus. "We believe the time has come to expand South Korea's participation in the development of the Middle Corridor," he said, proposing joint ventures and logistics projects, such as logistics centers and multimodal terminals operated by CJ Logistics and LX Pantos. These would ensure seamless transit of Korean cargo through Kazakhstan to European markets.
The automotive sector is a longstanding pillar of the relationship. Hyundai has operated a factory in Kazakhstan for six years, and Kia opened a plant last year. In a meeting with Hyundai Motor Group's President for Strategic Planning, Sung Kim, Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan's ambition to become a regional car production and export hub. The parties agreed to deepen localization, expand production of automotive components, and boost export potential. Hyundai Motor Company and Astana Motors also exchanged an agreement to produce the new Hyundai Tucson in Kazakhstan.
Tokayev also sought partners for the Alatau Smart City project near Almaty. Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (KIND) is already involved in creating the city's master plan and developing residential areas. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) plans to build a branch there, and Lotte intends to develop hotel and residential complexes.
South Korean foreign direct investment in Kazakhstan has reached €10.4 billion, with over 1,000 Korean companies operating in the country. The new agreements are expected to build on this foundation, with both sides expressing confidence in a future of closer economic integration.
For Europe, the deepening Kazakhstan–South Korea partnership carries implications for supply chains and the Middle Corridor, which offers an alternative route for goods between Asia and Europe. As Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its economy beyond raw materials, its ties with Seoul could reshape regional trade dynamics.
