The Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat invited Central Asia's next-generation leaders in business and industrial sectors to Korea for seven days from July 9 through 15.

The Korea-Central Asia Next-Generation Leaders Network Program is designed to build a network of young Korean and Central Asian leaders to enhance bilateral understanding and strengthen cooperation.

A total of 21 promising leaders in business and industrial sectors from three Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, participated in this year's Next-Generation Network Program.

During their visit to Korea, the next-generation leaders took part in the Next-Generation Dialogue and had in-depth discussion on the 25 years of economic cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Central Asia, and the role of the next-generation elite. They also visited the Eurasia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be briefed on and discuss economic relations between the Republic of Korea and Central Asia. In addition, the Central Asian leaders visited the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang PR Center, the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) and other relevant facilities to have first-hand experience about the advanced economy of South Korea. They also visited various sites of cultural importance, including Changdeok Palace in Seoul and traditional Korean house Seongyojang in Gangneung, to experience Korean culture.

It is hoped that the recent visit of the Central Asian next-generation leaders contributed to building a network to promote economic cooperation and more intimate relations between Korea and Central Asia