Published
09/16/2026, 13:50On 16 September, Kyrgyzstan and South Korea signed 18 cooperation documents following a meeting between Presidents Sadyr Zhaparov and Lee Jae-myung. The documents cover the economy, investment, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, digitalisation, security, culture and education. This was reported by the South Korean news agency NewsPim.
In particular, a memorandum was signed between the ministries of the two countries on cooperation in the field of urban planning and infrastructure. It provides for the exchange of expertise in the development of master plans, the construction of urban, transport and housing infrastructure, industrial complexes and the implementation of ‘smart’ construction technologies.
A separate memorandum has been concluded between the Korean corporation KOIDCO and the Kyrgyz Centre for Public-Private Partnership. The parties intend to exchange information on PPP projects and to facilitate the participation of Korean companies in such projects in Kyrgyzstan.
Another document concerns smart grids. It was signed by KEPCO and the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan. The cooperation provides for the introduction of digital technologies, remote electricity metering and energy storage systems to reduce losses and enhance the resilience of the power system.
Kyrgyzstan and South Korea have signed a memorandum of cooperation between KOTRA — the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency — and the State Investment Agency of Kyrgyzstan.
Under the agreement, the parties will exchange information on investment projects and business opportunities, organise joint events and assist companies in developing trade and investment ties.
Kyrgyzstan and South Korea also plan to cooperate in the field of new technologies and investment in renewable and ‘green’ energy.
Put simply, the memorandum is intended to help Korean companies identify investment projects in Kyrgyzstan, whilst enabling the Kyrgyz side to attract more Korean business and technology.
Another document concerns the mutual recognition of halal certification. It was signed by the Korea Testing and Certification Organisation (KTC) and the Kyrgyz Centre for the Development of the Halal Industry. It is expected that this cooperation will reduce administrative procedures, time and costs for South Korean exporters.
South Korea and Kyrgyzstan have signed their first bilateral memorandum of cooperation in the field of physical education and sport.
The document was concluded between the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and the State Agency for Physical Education and Sport of Kyrgyzstan.
The memorandum provides for cooperation in the fields of sports science and medicine, participation in international sporting events, the exchange of knowledge in the field of physical education, and the training of specialists in adaptive sports for people with disabilities.
Kyrgyzstan and South Korea have signed an agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters. The document was signed by the heads of the customs services of both countries.
The parties agreed to exchange information on matters relating to the customs value of goods, the determination of the country of origin and the verification of the legality of the movement of goods. Provision has also been made for the exchange of information on delays and refusals during customs clearance and on goods that may be linked to illicit trade.
The cooperation is also aimed, amongst other things, at combating transnational crime and smuggling.
A separate memorandum was signed by the mayors of Seoul and Bishkek. It provides for cooperation between the cities in trade, the economy, science, culture and education, as well as in the fields of urban governance, artificial intelligence, ‘smart cities’ and digital transformation.
