South Korea's Central Asia policy: The cases of Uzbekistan andKazakhstan

Central Asia is a geography that has witnessed the power struggles of external states from the past to the present. South Korea's first contact with the region took place after the five Central Asian Republics gained their independence. South Korea's interest in Central Asia stems from these countries' geographical location and natural resources. Although economic reasons initially came to the fore in South Korea's cooperation with the region, this situation has spread to the cultural sphere over time. In this regard, Seoul has attached great importance to the cultural dimension of relations as an effective soft power tool in Central Asian countries. The contribution of Koreans living in the region has also played a vital role. This study delves into the unique aspects of South Korea's Central Asia policy through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan case studies. Among the five Central Asian Republics, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan stand out as the countries where Seoul's investments and activities are concentrated, given their natural resources, economic development potential, and the significant presence of ethnic Koreans. The study, however, does not encompass the bilateral relations between South Korea and other Central Asian countries (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan) due to their relatively low intensity. It is important to note that the study is limited to 1991-2022, a time span chosen to analyze the policies pursued from when the Central Asian Republics gained their independence until the 30th anniversary of the relations.