UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | Cooperation between Uzbekistan and South Korea has continued to deepen in recent years, expanding into priority areas including the economy, investment, advanced technologies, digitalization and public financial management, according to officials involved in preparations for an upcoming high-level visit.

The Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum has served as a platform for identifying new areas of regional and bilateral cooperation, joint projects in innovative and high-tech sectors, and human capital development. Officials say this work is gaining added significance ahead of a planned visit by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to South Korea from September 14 to 17, which is expected to create opportunities for elevating the strategic partnership between the two countries, expanding investment and technological cooperation, and reaching new agreements on joint projects.

Digital Treasury Cooperation

One area of steady progress has been public financial management, where Uzbekistan is studying South Korea's experience in modernizing treasury systems as part of a gradual shift toward a "Digital Treasury" model.

From April 5 to 10, the Korea Fiscal Information Service (KFIS) organized a training seminar in South Korea on public financial management information systems and the application of artificial intelligence technologies. A delegation from the Treasury Service Committee under Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy and Finance took part, studying South Korea's dBrain+, e-Naradoum and e-Hojo systems, which support the digitalization of public financial management.

During the visit, the Treasury Service Committee and KFIS signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation, expanding the exchange of expertise, and supporting practical collaboration to improve public financial management systems. Officials from the two sides also agreed to engage a South Korean expert to support the modernization of Uzbekistan's public financial management information systems.

Semiconductor Sector Prospects

Uzbekistan is also exploring cooperation with South Korea in developing a domestic semiconductor ecosystem, including projects related to chip packaging and testing (OSAT) and integrated circuit (IC) design.

Among the areas under consideration is attracting South Korean technology to support the production of raw materials and high-purity chemical materials used in semiconductor manufacturing, training local specialists, and building a semiconductor materials base within Uzbekistan.

Within the framework of cooperation with SK Group, particularly SK Hynix, officials are examining prospects for technology transfer, the establishment of IC design education programs, training for local engineers and chip design specialists, joint educational initiatives including grant-based programs, and the creation of research and development centers.

Officials said these initiatives, if implemented, would help establish a foundation for developing a modern electronics and semiconductor industry in Uzbekistan, training a skilled engineering workforce, localizing advanced technologies, and building new high-value-added manufacturing capacity.

Building Toward the September Visit

Officials described the ongoing work under the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum, along with the upcoming presidential visit, as laying important groundwork for deepening cooperation between Uzbekistan and South Korea, advancing new technological projects, and developing high-value-added sectors over the long term.