President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea recently visited the Central Asian republics of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Prior to his tour, he introduced the “K-Silk Road” initiative, highlighting his role in guiding Korea’s future interactions with the region. While this initiative builds upon Korea’s longstanding policies, it signifies a desire to forge a new chapter in Central Asian relations. Despite its shortcomings and some neglected areas, this initiative is a significant step forward in the context of regional relations.

BACKGROUND: The “K-Silk Road” strategy represents a continuation of Korea’s longstanding policies toward Central Asia, building on a foundation laid over several decades. Korea’s interest in establishing ties with the region began with the Trade Transaction Act of 1972, which facilitated trade with communist countries despite their ideological differences. This economic pragmatism eventually extended into Korea’s foreign policy. A significant shift occurred in 1983 when Lee Bum Suk, the Foreign Minister under President Chun Doo-hwan, introduced “Nordpolitik.” This policy aimed to foster closer ties with communist countries, particularly the Soviet Union and China, and was implemented during Roh Tae-woo’s presidency in 1988. An indirect objective of Nordpolitik was to engage with North Korea through the broader communist bloc.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Korea seized the opportunity to establish direct relations with the newly independent Central Asian republics. Special attention was given to Uzbekistan, reflecting historical connections. In early 1992, Korea began to strengthen these ties by dispatching its first Korean language teachers to Tashkent, marking a significant step in cultural and diplomatic outreach.

In the early 1990s, the Korean conglomerate Daewoo significantly increased its investments in Uzbekistan, to the extent that the country earned the nickname “Daewoobekistan.” Korea then expanded its engagement with other Central Asian nations – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan – adopting strategies centered predominantly on energy and economic development. In the late 2000s, Korea further bolstered its engagement with Central Asia through several key foreign policy initiatives, including the New Asia Initiative, the Eurasia Initiative, and the New Northern Policy. These frameworks underscored the importance of deepening ties within the region. Successive Korean presidents played crucial roles in solidifying these relationships: Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye, and Moon Jae-in each cultivated direct and personal connections with the leaders of Central Asian republics. This sustained diplomatic effort significantly enhanced Korea’s presence and influence in Central Asia.

Full Article: https://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/analytical-articles/item/13805-k-silk-road-korea-unveils-new-strategy-for-central-asia.html

Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu – CACI Analyst