Korea-Uzbekistan, opening a new chapter in cultural exchange… signing a ‘Cultural Cooperation Intent Agreement’

“President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the historic city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, on the 15th local time. They toured the mausoleum of Amir Timur, who founded a major empire in Central Asia in the 14th century. According to the Blue House website, the two leaders signed a ‘Culture Cooperation Intention Document’ with the Uzbekistan Ministry of Culture. The document includes mutual exchange and cooperation between cultural institutions such as museums and libraries, participation in cultural events planned in both countries, and cooperation in sports and other cultural exchanges. The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to actively promote cultural exchanges with Uzbekistan based on this agreement. The National Museum of Asian Arts, under the Ministry, is preparing a special exhibition in October 2025 that reexamines the past and future of the Silk Road, highlighting Uzbekistan as a key gateway for trade in Central Asia. They will also operate the ‘Asian Storytelling Committee’ in which Uzbekistan will participate, to uncover and introduce local stories. Through the seven Sejong Institutes in Uzbekistan, continuous language and cultural exchanges will be facilitated. The ‘Sejong Cultural Academy,’ led by Korean cultural experts, will also expand its operations. In the field of sports, support will be provided for hosting a Taekwondo competition in Uzbekistan in September. Tourism exchanges will also be expanded, focusing on medical tourism and educational travel, supported by the Korea Tourism Organization’s Tashkent office. Additionally, they plan to strengthen tourism promotion by operating a Korean pavilion at the Tashkent International Tourism Fair in November. Minister Yu In-chon expressed, ‘The signing of the ‘Culture Cooperation Intention Document’ will further expand Uzbekistan’s interest in Korea and enhance mutual affinity between the two nations. Through this, I hope that ‘K-Culture’ will spread in Central Asia and that Korea and Uzbekistan will develop even closer cultural ties.”