A telephone conversation took place on 5 January 2017 between President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Acting President of the Republic of Korea Hwang Kyo-ahn at the initiative of the South Korean side.

Hwang Kyo-ahn cordially congratulated Shavkat Mirziyoyev on his convincing victory in the December 2016 elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

The sides exchanged warm congratulations on a significant date in the history of bilateral cooperation, that is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea. Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Hwang Kyo-ahn said with much satisfaction that a high level of mutual understanding, trust and openness had been achieved between the two countries, serving as a firm foundation for the comprehensive stepping up of cooperation in the political, trade-economic, financial-technical, investment and cultural-humanitarian spheres. 

The special significance of the large-scale Usturt gas chemical complex project in the Surgil field was emphasized. A ceremony took place in May 2016 with the participation of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Hwang Kyo-ahn on the official completion of construction work there. The leader of Uzbekistan highly evaluated the personal contribution of Acting President of the Republic of Korea to the implementation of a programme of multidimensional cooperation between the two countries. 

During a detailed exchange of opinions on prospects for Uzbek - South Korean relations, a firm reciprocal interest was expressed in increasing the number of joint hi-tech projects in a vast variety of spheres of interest to both countries. 

In the run-up to the forthcoming 80th anniversary of Koreans living in Uzbekistan, which is to be celebrated in the year 2017, the sides emphasized the role of the Korean diaspora in strengthening the friendly ties between the two states and expressed the need to complete the construction of Tashkent’s House of Korean Culture and Art as soon as possible. The active participation of ethnic Korean citizens of Uzbekistan in the political, socio-economic and cultural life of the country was especially noted. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Hwang Kyo-ahn reaffirmed their adherence to the 2006 Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, and emphasized the importance of it being further given qualitatively new substance, taking account of the existing significant potential. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed the best wishes of wellbeing and prosperity in the new year to Hwang Kyo-ahn and the people of the Republic of Korea. 

Hwang Kyo-ahn, for his part, wished Shavkat Mirziyoyev great successes and achievements in his responsible state activity, and the People of Uzbekistan peace and further progress. 

Acting President of the Republic of Korea Hwang Kyo-ahn invited President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to visit the Republic of Korea. 

The conversation took place in an open and friendly atmosphere.