South Korea - The Times Of Central Asia

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Tourism

South Korea Sees Surge in Tourist Interest in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is emerging as a leading travel destination in Central Asia for South Korean tourists, with interest surging by 295% from January to October 2025, according to data from the digital tourism platform Agoda. Kazakh Tourism, the national tourism company, said that the data reflects a sharp rise not only in actual visits, measured through accommodation bookings but also in search queries for travel to Kazakhstan. The increased availability of direct flights between the two countries has played a significant role in this growth. Agoda reports that the launch of the Incheon-Almaty route by Eastar Jet boosted interest in Almaty, with search activity jumping by 348%. Shymkent, located in southern Kazakhstan, also saw an 89% rise in interest from South Korean travelers. This increase coincides with the May launch of a direct Incheon-Shymkent flight by SCAT Airlines. Meanwhile, Air Astana has expanded its services with more frequent flights from Seoul to both Almaty and Astana. “We are seeing a clear increase in interest among South Korean travelers in destinations that combine adventure, culture, and authenticity, with Central Asia standing out as a region of growing interest,” said Jay Lee, Agoda’s regional director for North Asia. Interest from South Korea is part of a broader regional trend. Agoda reported a 225% rise in search activity for the four main Central Asian destinations, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, compared to the same period last year. Kazakh Tourism noted that it has been actively promoting the country’s tourism potential in South Korea through B2B meetings and information tours aimed at fostering cooperation between leading tour operators. While Agoda’s figures highlight a significant uptick in online interest, Kazakh Tourism’s own data shows more moderate growth in actual tourist arrivals. From January to September 2025, the number of South Korean visitors to Kazakhstan rose by 25% year-on-year, reaching over 41,300 people. This made South Korea the fifth-largest source of tourists to Kazakhstan, following China (693,000 visitors, up 42%), India (113,000), Turkey (over 103,000), and Germany (more than 81,000). According to the Border Service, Kazakhstan welcomed more than 12.2 million foreign visitors in the first nine months of 2025, 730,000 more than during the same period in 2024. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has also taken the regional lead in medical tourism this year, surpassing its Eurasian neighbors in growth and infrastructure development.

Waste Management

South Korea to Support Landfill Project in Northern Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is partnering with South Korean organizations to construct a sanitary landfill in Kemin, a town in the northern Chui region, approximately 95 km east of Bishkek. Earlier this month, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision held a meeting with representatives from South Korea’s MYC Inc. (Make Your Climate) to secure grant funding for the initiative. The two sides also conducted a joint study to identify a suitable location for the future landfill. The project is designed to implement an integrated waste management system that includes the sorting and incineration of solid waste, thereby reducing landfill volume and minimizing environmental harm. Scheduled to run from 2027 to 2031, the project has an estimated budget of up to $10 million. The Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) will oversee project management. The landfill is part of broader development plans for Kemin and the wider Chui region, which include the creation of an eco-friendly urban center, Kemin City. In January 2025, President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree to build the new city on 353 hectares. The project aims to provide modern housing, reduce outward migration, and retain skilled local labor. Kemin and the nearby town of Orlovka were historically industrial hubs during the Soviet era. However, following the collapse of the USSR, many local enterprises shut down, prompting widespread out-migration. The development of Kemin City and its associated infrastructure is intended to reverse this trend and stimulate the local economy.

Air Pollution

Korean Firm to Reduce Emissions from Bishkek Heating Plant

On September 24, the Bishkek city administration and South Korea’s EcoMotion signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at cutting air pollution in the Kyrgyz capital. The agreement focuses on the introduction of advanced High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS) air purification technologies at the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant (TPP). The initiative begins with a preliminary feasibility study for installing high-voltage electrostatic precipitators, devices that use a strong electrostatic field to capture particulate matter such as dust and smoke from gas emissions. The technology is designed to reduce harmful pollutants produced by the thermal plant, which relies primarily on coal to generate electricity and heat for the city. The project forms part of the Bishkek City Development Program, which prioritizes clean air and improved environmental conditions. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, emissions from the Bishkek TPP account for approximately 15% of the city’s air pollution. The Bishkek thermal plant generates 13% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity, the majority of which is otherwise supplied by hydropower, and provides heat and hot water to nearly two-thirds of the capital’s population. Air quality remains a serious concern in Bishkek, a city of over one million residents. Pollution levels spike during winter months, when widespread coal burning for residential heating significantly increases emissions. Bishkek frequently ranks among the top 10 most polluted cities worldwide, according to IQAir’s global air quality index.

Drone Soccer World Cup

Kazakh School Teams to Compete at Drone Soccer World Cup in South Korea

Three school teams from Astana will represent Kazakhstan for the first time at the FIDA Drone Soccer World Cup 2025, set to take place in late September in Jeonju, South Korea, according to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Drone soccer, a South Korean innovation launched in 2016, is a rapidly growing esport. The game is played in a netted arena by two teams of five, each piloting spherical drones measuring 20-40 centimeters in diameter. The goal is to score by flying a designated drone, known as the drone-ball, through the opponent’s gate while defending one’s own. Matches consist of three three-minute rounds. The Federation of International Dronesoccer Association (FIDA) was founded in 2021, bringing together national associations. The inaugural world championship took place in South Korea in 2023, evolving from a school-based initiative into a national sensation. Today, more than 1,000 school and university teams compete across South Korea, and FIDA now includes over 35 countries. The 2025 World Cup in Jeonju is expected to feature dozens of national squads and hundreds of athletes, including Kazakhstan’s debut delegation. Kazakhstan will be represented by three Astana-based teams: Specialized Lyceum No. 82 “Daryn,” School-Lyceum No. 8, and the private school Skillset. “For children, this is not just a tournament but a ticket to the future. Today they pilot drones; tomorrow they’ll design unmanned systems that could reshape aviation in Kazakhstan and beyond,” said Dmitry Ivanov, head of the Kazakhstan Drone Soccer Association. The championship will run from September 25 to 28 at two venues: the Jeonju International Drone Sports Center and the Jeonju World Cup Stadium. This autumn, the Kazakh teams will also participate in Digital Bridge 2025 in Astana, where they are scheduled to lead masterclasses and demonstration matches for international guests. Organizers say the event will mark the launch of Kazakhstan’s national drone soccer season for 2025-2026, with the introduction of regular school and city leagues. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also investing in drone technology for broader applications, including agriculture and safety engineering.

logistics hub

South Korea Backs New Cold Storage and Logistics Center in Southern Kyrgyzstan

On August 29, a new Fruit and Vegetable Cold Storage and Logistics Center officially opened in the village of Tort-Gul in Kyrgyzstan’s southern Batken Region. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the NGO Good Neighbors, both of which provided partial financing for the project, as well as by local government officials and residents. According to KOICA’s Kyrgyzstan office, the facility was established through the joint efforts of the Republic of Korea, the Kyrgyz government, and local communities. The project received both financial and administrative support from the Kyrgyz side, with local self-government bodies covering approximately 42 percent of the construction costs. The center was developed as part of the Integrated Rural Development Project, a joint initiative of KOICA and Good Neighbors that is currently being implemented in 30 villages across the Osh and Batken regions. With a storage capacity of up to 500 tons, the facility is equipped with modern refrigeration systems designed to reduce post-harvest losses, extend the shelf life of agricultural products, and ensure a more reliable supply of fruits and vegetables to both domestic and international markets. The logistics center is managed by the Batken Berekelyuu Aimak cooperative, which has already begun commercial operations. The cooperative has signed a supply contract for dried apricots and plans to expand its distribution network in the near future. The facility is expected to improve the livelihoods of farmers in Batken by creating additional income opportunities and strengthening access to larger markets.

Education

South Korea to Support Health and Nutrition in Kyrgyz Schools

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education, has launched a new initiative aimed at improving health and nutrition in schools by incorporating locally produced agricultural products into school meals. According to KOICA’s Kyrgyzstan office, the project will directly benefit approximately 16,000 students and local farmers across the regions of Osh, Jalal-Abad, Chui, Naryn, and Batken. The project aims to enhance children’s health through fortified school meals, upgraded school infrastructure, and capacity-building programs for school personnel. With a total budget of $10 million, the program will run until 2028. It will support the renovation of kitchens and dining areas, the construction of toilets, the installation of handwashing stations, and the delivery of educational programs on healthy eating, meal procurement, health, and hygiene in approximately 40 schools. In addition, the project includes training for local agricultural cooperatives on crop cultivation, post-harvest handling, and operational management, alongside the development of model farms. A key component of the initiative is expanding access to clean water and ensuring that hygiene and sanitation services are adequate, inclusive, and gender-sensitive. This is not KOICA’s first investment in Kyrgyzstan’s development. Earlier, The Times of Central Asia reported on a separate $10 million project launched by KOICA to improve air quality in the country, with a particular focus on Bishkek.