South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol embarked on a week-long trip to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on Monday, aiming to expand cooperation in critical minerals and other key sectors. Accompanied by first lady Kim Keon-hee and a 60-company business delegation, Yoon will hold summits with the presidents of each nation and attend memorandum of understanding signing ceremonies and business forums.

Yoon seeks to create new opportunities for South Korean companies in the energy, minerals, infrastructure, climate change response and technology sectors during the trip. Yoon plans to launch the “K-Silk Road” initiative, linking South Korea’s innovation with Central Asia’s resources and development potential. The government also intends to establish a summit involving the leaders of South Korea and all five Central Asian countries, with the inaugural meeting planned for next year.

Why It Matters

Yoon’s trip presents significant opportunities for South Korean businesses, particularly in securing critical minerals and diversifying supply chains, which will likely reduce South Korea’s reliance on China for essential materials. The Yoon administration has actively sought to diversify the country’s supply chains via the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

However, Yoon’s overseas trip occurs during heightened inter-Korean tensions. North Korea’s recent balloon launches and the resumption of South Korea’s propaganda loudspeakers at the inter-Korean border have escalated military tensions. Yoon’s trip will likely face criticism from opposition parties for its timing, as it coincides with these security issues.

Pyongyang will likely respond to the resumption of South Korea’s propaganda loudspeakers, potentially further escalating military tensions. Depending on the severity of North Korea’s response, such as drone incursions or naval incursions across the Northern Limit Line — the maritime demarcation line in the Yellow Sea between South and North Korea, which the DPRK does not officially recognize — Yoon may be forced to cut his trip short to address the security situation.