한-중앙아 수교 30주년: 경제협력 평가와 4대 협력 과제 (30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Central Asia: The Evaluation of Economic Cooperation and Four Major Cooperation Tasks)

2022년은 한국과 중앙아시아 5개국이 수교한 지 30주년이 되는 해이다. 최근 들어 4차 산업혁명의 진전과 중앙아시아 각국의 경제현대화 정책에 힘입어 중앙아시아 국가들의 경제 및 사회 구조에 대대적인 변화가 일어나면서 한국과 중앙아시아 간 협력 가능성이 높아지고 있다. 본 연구는 지난 30년에 걸친 한-중앙아시아 국가 간 경제협력의 성과를 평가하고, 미래 유망 협력분야로 ① 디지털 ② 신재생에너지 ③ 금융 ④ 보건의료 분야를 4대 협력분야로 선정하여 각 협력분야에 대한 심도 있는 분석과 정책 방안을 제시하였다. Central Asia refers to five countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, which became independent after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Region, located in the heart of the Eurasian continent, is attracting attention as a key promising participant for regional integration projects of major powers, and is the site of fierce geopolitical competition between Russia, China and the United States. Central Asian economies which are dependent on the export of energy resources such as oil and natural gas, are diversifying their industrial structure through policies to encourage manufacturing industry in line with the transition to a global carbon-neutral era, and are implementing policies to expand the development of new and renewable energy. In addition, as non-face-to-face activities have become normal due to the COVID-19 crisis, digital transformation including ICT industry is accelerating in Central Asia, where population density is low. 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and the five Central Asian countries. Korea has grown into an important import partner in Central Asia over the past 30 years. According to the official statistics of each country in 2020, Korea is the third largest importer of Kazakhstan, the fourth largest importer of Uzbekistan, and the seventh and ninth largest importer of remaining three Central Asian countries. On the other hand, Central Asia is not a major trading partner for Korea, as it accounts for less than 1% of Korea’s total exports and imports. Trade items between Korea and Central Asia are also limited to some items due to differences in economic structure and economic development. However, the possibility of cooperation between Korea and Central Asia is increasing as the 4th Industrial Revolution and economic modernization policies of Central Asian countries have led to major changes in economic and social structures of Central Asian countries. (the rest omitted)