President Moon Jae-in is now in Uzbekistan as he continues his first tour of Central Asia as South Korean leader.
Our Shin Se-min, who is traveling with the president, reports from Tashkent.
The Uzbek capital of Tashkent is stop two of three on President Moon Jae-in’s first ever tour of Central Asia.
During a four-day state visit consisting of summit meetings with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev… the presidents are likely to focus on ways to upgrade their level of political and economic ties.
They will also discuss ways to expand the two side's practical cooperation in the areas of ICT, medical and defense technology.
Uzbekistan is seen as a profitable market for South Korea -- given the country’s economy has been logging a steady 5-percent level of annual growth over the past three years.
In particular,.. the two countries' healthcare-related ties are at a level not seen with Seoul’s other partner nations.
In fact they are so crucial that the president’s first schedule upon his arrival in Tashkent was to visit a university demonstrating a joint remote-medical consultation by doctors from the two countries.
"E-health is one of the most prominent industries of the future. I hope our two countries become strategic partners as we move deeper into the fourth industrial revolution."
South Korea’s technological know-how such as 5G networks and AI should help Uzbekistan’s medical sector, which is hampered by the country’s vast size and unique geographical features.
During his stay, President Moon will also address members of Uzbekistan’s parliament-- a first for a visiting South Korean leader.
His trip will also take him to Samarkand,… one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, before wrapping up his stay in the country.
"South Korean leader’s visit comes two years after the Uzbek’s president visited Seoul. And expectations for the talks are high as Uzbekistan is seen as a base to President Moon’s New Northern Policy and is also the most populated Central Asian nation.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News, Tashkent."
