Bishkek, Sept. 17, 2026. /Kabar/. Today, April 17, as part of his official visit to the Republic of Korea, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov met with National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik in Seoul.
Sadyr Zhaparov congratulated the Speaker of the Korean Parliament on his election and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome.
In his speech, the head of state emphasized the stable nature of bilateral relations, encompassing political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. He noted the need to improve direct and trusting contacts between parliaments, strengthen mutual political trust, and consistently implement agreements reached at the highest level.
In this regard, Sadyr Zhaparov identified interparliamentary cooperation as a key pillar of political dialogue and proposed intensifying contacts between relevant committees and parliamentary groups of the two countries.
Assessing the results of the first Central Asia-Republic of Korea summit, the President noted Kyrgyzstan's readiness to host the next meeting of the speakers of parliaments of the participating countries in Bishkek.
Noting the results of productive talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and the signing of a package of bilateral documents, Sadyr Zhaparov called on the Korean parliament to provide the necessary legislative support for the practical implementation of all agreements reached.
Sadyr Zhaparov specifically addressed issues directly related to Kyrgyz citizens. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Korean side for creating conditions that allow Kyrgyz citizens to work in the Republic of Korea.
At the same time, it was noted that the dynamic growth in the number of compatriots in Korea requires improvements to the bilateral legal framework in the area of social security. In this context, the President emphasized the need to quickly conclude negotiations and prepare for the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on social insurance and pension provision between Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of Korea, which will guarantee reliable social protection for workers.
In turn, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Cho Jung-shik thanked President Sadyr Japarov for his visit, warm congratulations, and continued friendly attitude. He emphasized that Seoul attaches strategic importance to strengthening its comprehensive partnership with Bishkek, and that interparliamentary dialogue plays a crucial role in bringing the two countries closer together and legislatively supporting the agreements reached at the highest level.
Cho Jung-shik noted Kyrgyzstan's rapid economic development thanks to Sadyr Zhaparov's outstanding leadership and expressed his readiness to expand bilateral cooperation and the active support of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. He identified artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, energy, and healthcare as priority areas.
Regarding economic cooperation, the speaker emphasized the doubling of bilateral trade, making Kyrgyzstan the second-largest trade partner among Central Asian countries. He noted that a representative office of KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) is planned to support Korean companies operating in Kyrgyzstan.
Furthermore, Cho Jong-shik expressed his full support for the initiatives announced during the first Central Asia-Republic of Korea Summit and emphasized the high importance of expanding interparliamentary cooperation in this format.
The speaker also noted that next year, Korea will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Korean diaspora's resettlement in Central Asia. In this regard, he expressed gratitude to Sadyr Japarov and the people of Kyrgyzstan for their continued support of the Korean diaspora.
At the end of the meeting, President Sadyr Zhaparov reaffirmed his commitment to comprehensively strengthening partnership and invited the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to pay an official visit to Kyrgyzstan.
For his part, Cho Jong-shik gratefully accepted the invitation. He expressed confidence that the agreements reached and the dialogue that took place will open a new meaningful chapter in the history of Kyrgyz-Korean friendship and cooperation.
