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President Lee Jae-myung shakes hands with Czech President Petr Pavel before their summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 23. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung, in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, held a series of bilateral summits on September 23 (local time) with Czech President Petr Pavel, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, underscoring Korea’s push to expand partnerships and rally support for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

During talks with President Pavel, Lee thanked Prague for supporting Korean companies’ investments, stressing that bilateral cooperation should go “beyond nuclear power to encompass semiconductors, electric vehicles, and defense industries.” Marking the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of a “strategic partnership,” Lee praised the remarkable progress in bilateral relations.

Pavel, referencing the June contract with Korea for the new Dukovany nuclear power plant, said it reflected “high recognition of the outstanding capabilities of Korean firms.” He also expressed interest in visiting Korea, emphasizing the need for stronger cooperation among democratic nations. Lee welcomed the proposal and voiced hopes for deeper exchanges between the two leaders.

Earlier in the day, Lee met Secretary-General Guterres, urging U.N. support for easing tensions and fostering dialogue on the Korean Peninsula. “Peace and security on the Korean Peninsula are inseparable from global peace and security,” Lee said, expressing backing for U.N. reforms and pledging a greater role for Korea as a former aid recipient turned donor country. He also called for broader opportunities for capable Koreans to work in international organizations. Guterres described Seoul’s approach to North Korea as “wise” and promised U.N. support.

In his first face-to-face meeting with President Mirziyoyev following their July phone call, Lee stressed Uzbekistan’s growth potential based on its mineral resources and large population, and voiced hopes for closer economic ties with Korea’s advanced technology. Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in transportation infrastructure and critical mineral supply chains. Lee also asked for special attention to the 170,000 ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan, highlighting their role as a bridge between the two nations. The two sides pledged close coordination for the successful hosting of the Korea–Central Asia Summit in Seoul next year.