【Related National Policy Task】 No. 120: Emerging as G7+ diplomatic power through contributions and active engagement in international community

On March 16, 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and Head of the Preparatory Office for the 1st Korea-Central Asia Summit Chung Eui-hae, and the Ambassadors of the Central Asian countries* to the Republic of Korea attended the “launch ceremony of the Preparatory Office for the 1st Korea-Central Asia Summit 2026” at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

* Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan

Minister Cho stated that, in line with President Lee Jae Myung’s call for seamless preparations for the success of the upcoming 1st Korea-Central Asia Summit on September 16 (Wed.)-17 (Thu.), the 1st meeting of its Organizing Committee was held in February, paving the way for whole-of-government cooperation. On that note, he instructed the newly launched Preparatory Office to faithfully play a  supporting role.

In addition, Minister Cho emphasized the necessity of close cooperation between the Korean government and the governments of the other participating countries for the success of this first summit and voiced expectation for active cooperation between related ministries and the Embassies of the Central Asian countries in Seoul. Participants from those Embassies expressed gratitude for the Korean government’s efforts in preparing for the summit and showed willingness for close cooperation for its success.

Pursuant to the “Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of the Organizing Committee and the Preparatory Office for the 1st Korea-Central Asia Summit 2026” enacted as a presidential decree in January, the Preparatory Office was officially launched today with Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae as its Head and will seamlessly prepare for the success of the summit.