Cooperation Between Central Asia and Korea in the Field of Artificial Intelligence is Expanding

2025-11-21     Reporter Lee Soohyeon
Participants of the Korea–Central Asia AI Talent Development Cooperation Forum take a group photo. (Kazakhstan Embassy in Korea)

Seoul, 19 November 2025 – “Korea–Central Asia Cooperation Forum on AI Talent Development” was held at the National Assembly of Korea, organized by the Korea Foundation for Science and Creativity (KOSAC) in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum (CARK).

Nurgali Arystanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea, delivers a welcoming address. (Kazakhstan Embassy in Korea)

The event brought together members of the National Assembly Hong Ki-won and Kim Gun, experts, leading scholars, and representatives of the Embassies of Central Asian countries.

Members of the National Assembly, experts, leading scholars, and representatives of Central Asian embassies participated in the Korea–Central Asia AI Talent Development Cooperation Forum. (Credit=Kazakhstan Embassy in Korea)

In his opening remarks, KOSAC President Jung Woo Sung emphasized the importance of the forum as a platform for discussing the joint creation of the digital and AI-driven future, as well as the expansion of bilateral and multilateral educational programs between Korea and the countries of Central Asia.

National Assembly member Kim Gun delivers a congratulatory address at the Korea–Central Asia AI Talent Development Cooperation Forum. (Credit=Kazakhstan Embassy in Korea)

Executive Director of the CARK Forum Secretariat Rhee Jong Kook noted that Korea and the Central Asian states have been cooperating in the fields of economy, education, culture and beyond for more than 30 years. He highlighted the Forum’s special role in implementing key initiatives and developing practical partnership programs, including in digitalization and artificial intelligence.

National Assembly member Hong Ki-won delivers a congratulatory address at the Korea–Central Asia AI Talent Development Cooperation Forum. (Kazakhstan Embassy in Korea)

In his welcoming speech, Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov underlined the significance of the forum for strengthening the enhanced strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Korea. He stressed that AI today is not just a technological breakthrough but a transformational force influencing governance, education, healthcare, and economic competitiveness.

Jug Woo Sung, President of KOSAC, delivers a congratulatory address at the Korea–Central Asia AI Talent Development Cooperation Forum. (Credit=Kazakhstan Embassy in Korea)

He also noted the strong political support for AI development in Kazakhstan expressed in President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Address to the Nation, and informed participants about the President’s new initiatives, including the establishment of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.

Rhee Jong Kook, Executive Director of the Korea–Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat, delivers a congratulatory address at the Korea–Central Asia AI Talent Development Cooperation Forum. (Credit=Kazakhstan Embassy in Korea)

The Kazakh diplomat provided concrete examples such as the opening of the Woosung University branch in Turkistan and the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Institute at Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University in partnership with SeoulTech. He expressed confidence that cooperation in training students, engineers, and researchers will create a solid foundation for the innovative and digital development of both countries.

A panel discussion with experts takes place at the Korea–Central Asia AI Talent Development Cooperation Forum. (Credit=Kazakhstan Embassy in Korea)

During the forum, experts delivered presentations on the development of AI talent, the strategic use of ODA for training scientific and technical personnel and exchanges, as well as the prospects for trade and investment cooperation between Central Asian countries and Korea.

Participants of the roundtable discussed future joint projects and emphasized the need to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence and knowledge exchange. The forum reaffirmed the importance of systematic partnership between Korea and Central Asian countries for the development of joint educational and technological initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence.