South Korean PM urges joint supply chain with Kazakhstan for critical minerals

At a roundtable held alongside the first Korea-Central Asia summit in Seoul, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook urged the development of a strategic supply chain with Kazakhstan covering both energy and critical minerals. Citing President Lee Jae Myung’s statement that such minerals are vital for industry, technology and national security, she called for a shift from traditional trade in oil and uranium to include lithium, rare metals and other high-tech inputs.

The discussion involved Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and senior business representatives from both countries. Han argued that Kazakhstan’s abundant resources, paired with South Korea’s advanced processing capabilities, could form an integrated ecosystem from exploration to high-value material production. This cooperation is presented as a way to advance Kazakhstan’s industrial sector and provide a resilient model against global supply-chain uncertainties. The initiative reflects broader efforts to secure critical mineral supplies amid rising demand for high-tech applications.