Baek Kyung-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, met Kazakhstan's Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek (사야사트 누르벡) and discussed ways to cooperate in AI and science and technology.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said Baek held talks in Seoul on Aug. 12 with Nurbek, who is visiting South Korea.

The two sides agreed to expand AI and science and technology cooperation between the two countries on the occasion of the first Korea-Central Asia summit, due to be held in Seoul in September.

They also discussed ways to cooperate on a project to establish a Kazakhstan Institute of Science and Technology, modelled on the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Baek introduced South Korea's experience in boosting its science and technology competitiveness based on cultivating science and technology talent, and discussed directions for cooperation between the two countries to establish the Kazakhstan Institute of Science and Technology.

Baek said, "I hope we can create synergies by combining South Korea's AI and science and technology capabilities with Kazakhstan's resources and talent," adding, "I expect practical cooperation in AI and science and technology to expand on the occasion of the Korea-Central Asia summit."