South Korean president arrives in Turkmenistan as part of regional tour

ISTANBUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday arrived in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat as he embarks on a regional tour of Central Asia that will also include visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Turkmen state news agency Altyn Asyr reported that Yoon arrived in Ashgabat, where he will hold high-level negotiations, during a two-day visit. The report said that the South Korean president was greeted by Turkmen officials and was presented with bread, salt and flowers based on a tradition of hospitality. 'Building effective relations with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, including the Republic of Korea, which occupies a leading position among the developed countries of the world, is one of the key aspects of the foreign policy strategy of our Fatherland,' the report added. The Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported on Sunday that Yoon will embark on a week-long regional tour of Central Asia, according to his office, to seek expanding cooperation with the region in terms of critical mine rals 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. Source: Anadolu Agency