Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, left for Central Asia on Monday, according to Yoon's office, to hold discussions about bolstering diplomatic relations and collaborating in sectors including energy and minerals.

According to his office, Yoon will travel to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to sign agreements and attend business forums after making a state visit to Turkmenistan with the first lady.
Yoon will talk with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan about ways to increase supply chain collaboration for vital minerals including uranium and lithium.

The government plans to host a summit with leaders of five Central Asian countries next year in South Korea, Yoon's office said.
His trip to Central Asia is the latest global push by Seoul to broaden diplomatic ties and partnerships to ensure access to markets and to secure energy supplies and other resources.
South Korea hosted its first summit with the leaders of 48 African nations this month, during which it vowed to increase development aid for Africa to $10 billion over the next six years as it looks to tap the continent's mineral resources and potential as an export market.
Last month, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates signed
, opens new tab a trade agreement at a summit to cut import duties and forge closer business and investment ties as it seeks to tap the investment potential of the energy rich Gulf state.