By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Nurgali Arystanov, held a meeting with Park Hong-keun, Chairman of the Korea–Kazakhstan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea on June 11, 2025.

The two sides discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues and reaffirmed their mutual interest in further deepening the expanded strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Korea.

Ambassador Arystanov congratulated the interlocutor on the election of Lee Jae-myung as President of the Republic of Korea and expressed confidence that the political dialogue between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the new Korean leader would contribute to the steady advancement of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

Special attention was given to the visit of Speaker Woo Won-shik to Kazakhstan in October 2024. The visit was highlighted as an important step toward developing parliamentary diplomacy. The parties underscored the importance of continuing the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference as a key platform for regional cooperation.

The meeting also noted the positive dynamics of trade, economic, and investment cooperation. The Republic of Korea remains one of Kazakhstan’s key trade and investment partners globally.

The sides also reviewed the prospects for expanding humanitarian cooperation, including in the fields of education and culture. Ambassador Arystanov shared that approximately 1,300 Kazakh students are currently studying at Korean universities. Notable initiatives include the opening of the School of Artificial Intelligence in Kyzylorda, the upcoming launch of a Woosong University campus in Turkistan in September 2025, and a partnership between Akhmet Baitursynov Kostanay Regional University and Dong-Eui University.

The development of connectivity between Kazakhstan and Korea was also discussed. Currently, there are 19 direct flights a week between the two countries. The aim is to increase this number to 40, which will promote business, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Park Hong-keun, who also serves as Chairman of the General Hong Beom-do Memorial Association, expressed his commitment to actively contributing to the further development of inter-parliamentary and humanitarian cooperation. In turn, Ambassador Arystanov invited the Korean lawmaker to visit Kazakhstan at a convenient time for talks with Kazakh counterparts. The invitation was gratefully accepted.

It should be noted that the Kazakhstan–Korea Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan is chaired by Aidos Sarym, a member of Parliament.