UPDATE - South Korea, Turkmenistan agree to expand cooperation in energy, infrastructure

REVISES HEADLINE, SPOT & LEDE; ADDS STATEMENT BY SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea and Turkmenistan on Monday agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy and infrastructure during a visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to the Central Asian nation.

A joint statement released by South Korea's Presidential Office said that Yoon and his Turkmen counterpart Serdar Berdimuhamedow held a summit in Ashgabat, during which the two heads of state agreed to further develop the "mutually beneficial partnership" between the two countries.

Indicating that Yoon and Berdimuhamedow also discussed regional and international issues of common interest, the statement further said they agreed to increase joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in fields such as energy, shipbuilding, transportation and environmental protection.

According to the statement, Berdimuhamedow supported the launch of a South Korea-Central Asia summit scheduled to be held in 2025, as well as the South Korea-Central Asia K-Silk Road initiative.

Yoon arrived in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat as he embarked on a regional tour of Central Asia that will also include visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported on Sunday that Yoon will embark on a week-long regional tour of Central Asia to expand cooperation with the region in terms of critical minerals and other key sectors.

The report further said that Yoon plans to announce the launch of the South Korea-Central Asia K-Silk Road initiative during his tour of the region.