UN Journal Kayla Lee |  It is with great pleasure that I warmly welcome the state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea. To commemorate this significant occasion, Diplomacy Journal is honored to publish this “Special Edition Commemorating the State Visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea.”

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than three decades ago, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan have developed a special relationship of friendship and cooperation founded on mutual respect and trust. Beyond politics and diplomacy, the two countries have steadily expanded cooperation across a wide range of fields, including trade and investment, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and culture. Today, Uzbekistan has become one of Korea’s important partners in Central Asia.

Uzbekistan, with its rich history and cultural heritage, young and dynamic human resources, and strong growth potential, is vigorously pursuing national modernization and economic reform. Its broad transformation—including digitalization, the development of advanced industries, reforms in education and healthcare, and the expansion of transport and logistics infrastructure—is creating even greater opportunities for new cooperation with Korea.

This state visit is expected not only to reaffirm the trust that our two countries have built over the years, but also to serve as an important turning point in advancing Korea–Uzbekistan relations toward a new stage of future-oriented cooperation.

The partnership between our two countries should now move beyond traditional trade and investment and expand further into areas that will shape the future of coming generations, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, critical minerals, energy, advanced industries, science and technology, and human resource development.

Above all, genuine friendship between nations cannot be built through cooperation between governments and businesses alone. A truly sustainable partnership takes root when the peoples of both countries understand each other’s history and culture, when young people learn together, and when hearts are connected through art and education.

Through this special edition, Diplomacy Journal seeks to highlight Uzbekistan’s development and future vision, trace the journey of Korea–Uzbekistan relations, and explore the new opportunities for cooperation that lie ahead.

We also hope that this state visit will go beyond the realm of diplomacy to deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries and open a new era of shared prosperity between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

From trust to cooperation, and from cooperation to shared prosperity.

Building on more than three decades of friendship, Korea and Uzbekistan are now taking another confident step together toward a new future.

It is my sincere hope that this state visit will further deepen the friendship and strategic cooperation between our two countries and that its achievements will continue to benefit generations to come.

Once again, I extend my warmest welcome to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the occasion of his state visit to the Republic of Korea.

September 2026

                                                              Lee Jon-young Publisher & Chairman Diplomacy Journal