By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

From October 8 to 12, 2024, Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, paid an official visit to Kazakhstan. This significant visit, marking his overseas first in this capacity, focused on deepening strategic cooperation across various sectors and strengthening inter-parliamentary ties between the two nations.

On October 9, Speaker Woo was received by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Akorda Presidential Palace, where both leaders discussed the dynamic and multifaceted development of relations between Kazakhstan and South Korea. President Tokayev highlighted South Korea as one of Kazakhstan's key partners in Asia and expressed support for efforts to enhance inter-parliamentary cooperation. Woo Won-shik praised Kazakhstan's reforms and reaffirmed his commitment to fostering collaboration in trade, energy, and cultural sectors.

Following this, Speaker Woo held meetings with Senate Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev and Majilis Chairman Erlan Koshanov, emphasizing the importance of legislative collaboration in areas such as digital transformation, climate change, and green economy initiatives. Both Kazakh speakers welcomed the growing partnership and reiterated their dedication to supporting bilateral projects.

A key highlight of Speaker Woo's visit was his trip to Kyzylorda on October 10, where he delivered a lecture at Korkyt Ata University. Awarded the title of Honorary Professor by the university in 2023, Woo Won-shik discussed future opportunities for collaboration in education and technology. His visit also included a tour of the School of Artificial Intelligence, established in partnership with Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech) in 2023.

The school is set to play a crucial role in advancing educational programs in artificial intelligence and data management. Speaker Woo toured the state-of-the-art facility, which includes specialized labs for drone engineering, signaling a new chapter in Kazakhstan-South Korea technological cooperation.

In Almaty, Speaker Woo visited the Koryo Theater, where he met with ethnic Korean community leaders and enjoyed performances showcasing traditional Korean culture. This visit underscored the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries, contributing to a foundation for further cooperation.

Overall, Speaker Woo’s official visit reflects the shared commitment of Kazakhstan and South Korea to strengthen strategic partnerships, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and education, while also advancing cultural and parliamentary diplomacy.