Daejeon, June 18, 2026 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea Asset Issenali held a meeting with President of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) Lee Kyung Kwon.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and future prospects of Kazakhstan-Korea cooperation in the fields of geology, subsoil use, critical minerals, and scientific and technological research.

Particular attention was paid to expanding cooperation between relevant institutions of the two countries, introducing advanced geological exploration technologies, training specialists, and promoting the exchange of expertise.

The Kazakh diplomat briefed his counterpart on the measures being undertaken in Kazakhstan to develop the mineral resource sector, attract advanced technologies to geological exploration, and create favorable conditions for international cooperation in the field of critical raw materials.

The parties also reviewed prospects for joint projects in the rare and rare earth metals sector. In particular, they discussed opportunities for cooperation related to the Bakennoye deposit in East Kazakhstan Region, which is of mutual interest in terms of developing high-tech industries and ensuring resilient supply chains for strategic raw materials.

President Lee Kyung Kwon noted Kazakhstan’s significant potential as one of Korea’s key partners in Eurasia in the field of mineral resources. He also reaffirmed KIGAM’s interest in further expanding cooperation in geological exploration, critical minerals, and joint efforts aimed at strengthening stable supply chains.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to further strengthen scientific and technological cooperation and implement joint initiatives aimed at advancing geological science, introducing innovative technologies, and expanding collaboration in the field of critical minerals.

The parties agreed that the planned visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Republic of Korea later this year will provide significant momentum to bilateral cooperation in the geological sector.

For reference, KIGAM is the Republic of Korea’s leading government research institute specializing in geology, mineral resources, geological exploration, critical minerals, sustainable resource development technologies, and the digitalization of geological data. The institute plays a key role in implementing Korea’s national strategy for securing access to strategic raw materials and promoting international cooperation in this field.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-seoul/press/news/details/1243450?lang=ru