Central Asia-Republic of Korea summit postponed to 2026 amid political changes in Seoul

The joint summit of the Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, originally scheduled for 2025, has been officially postponed to 2026. The decision is related to the internal political instability in South Korea, caused by the attempt to impose martial law by former President Yoon Seok-yeol and the subsequent early elections.

The postponement was announced by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Park Yoon-joo during a meeting of the parliamentary Committee on International Affairs. The representative of the Foreign Ministry stressed that taking into account the current internal schedule and political turbulence, it was impossible to hold a full-scale summit this year.

The summit was supposed to be the first-ever format of direct talks between the heads of state of Central Asia and South Korea, and was agreed last June during Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to the region. It was planned that the meeting will be held in Seoul in 2025 and will become a platform for deepening economic, technological and investment cooperation.

The political crisis in South Korea began after the former president made an unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law. This caused a wave of public and parliamentary pressure, as a result of which the impeachment process was initiated and implemented. The early election was won by the candidate of the Democratic Party "Toburo" Lee Jae-myung, who officially took office as president.

The changing political landscape in Seoul has required a review of the foreign policy agenda, including schedules for multilateral events. Despite the postponement, the parties remain interested in developing a strategic partnership. Central Asia remains an important area within the framework of the Republic of Korea's initiative to strengthen ties with developing countries in Eurasia, including cooperation in energy, logistics, technology and education. The new summit is expected to be prepared in line with the updated foreign policy strategy of the Lee Jae-myung administration.