By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Lee Jae-myung held his first summit phone call with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev since taking office and discussed ways to expand cooperation between the two countries on July 24.

President Lee expressed his gratitude for President Mirziyoyev’s letter congratulating him on his inauguration, and proposed, “Korea and Uzbekistan have maintained close cooperation as a ‘special strategic partnership’ and will continue to take this relationship to the next level.”

In response, President Mirziyoyev said, “I have a special affection for Korea,” and “I hope that the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung government will deepen the relationship between the two countries and achieve substantial development.”

The two leaders highly valued the fact that the two countries have maintained a strong cooperative relationship in various fields, especially in transportation and infrastructure, and agreed to work together to further expand mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperation in the future.

President Lee also mentioned the difficulties faced by Korean companies operating in Uzbekistan and requested President Mirziyoyev’s special attention and support.

This summit phone call is evaluated as an important opportunity to confirm the direction of strategic cooperation between Korea and Uzbekistan and to further strengthen bilateral relations with the launch of the new government.