South Korea and Uzbekistan are broadening their relationship from trade toward a strategic production partnership focused on critical mineral supply chains, artificial intelligence, digital technology, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and defense. Uzbekistan proposed a South Korea-Uzbekistan Industrial Technology Alliance to combine its resources with South Korean technology and investment. At a business forum in Seoul attended by about 170 government and business leaders, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for new growth engines and said support for South Korean companies’ local investment and joint projects would expand. Five memorandums of understanding were signed in critical minerals, AI and digital technology, development cooperation and infrastructure. A summit between President Lee Jae-myung and President Mirziyoyev on the 14th produced 13 agreements, MOUs and contracts, including a defense cooperation contract between Korea Aerospace Industries and Uzbekistan’s state-owned trading company Uztek Trade. The countries are also examining whether existing cooperation in aviation and rail can support future defense exports. Uzbekistan’s lithium, tungsten and molybdenum resources are drawing interest as South Korean companies seek to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on China. President Lee is scheduled to host the first South Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul on the 16th.