Strategic partnership discussions took center stage as Mongolia and South Korea held an academic forum in Ulaanbaatar marking 35 years of diplomatic relations. The event underscored the maturity of bilateral ties and highlighted ambitions for deeper cooperation across multiple sectors.
The forum, titled Mongolia–the Republic of Korea Relations at a New Level and Future Prospects, took place on December 24, 2025. It was organized by the National University of Mongolia through its Department of Asian Studies and Korean Studies Division, bringing together officials, diplomats, and academic experts.
At the opening ceremony, an advisor delivered a message from Mongolia’s deputy prime minister outlining the government’s foreign policy priorities. The statement reaffirmed South Korea’s position as Mongolia’s “third neighbor” and a long-term development partner.
Officials emphasized that relations have steadily expanded based on shared democratic values and mutual trust. Since reaching the level of a strategic partnership in 2021, cooperation has gained broader scope and greater institutional depth.
Economic ties featured prominently during discussions, with speakers noting South Korea’s role as Mongolia’s fifth-largest trading partner. In addition, South Korea now ranks among the country’s top ten foreign investors, reflecting consistent commercial engagement.
Participants also highlighted cooperation in education, infrastructure development, tourism, environmental protection, and energy initiatives. Moreover, officials pointed to emerging collaboration in climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable urban planning.
South Korea’s ambassador to Mongolia emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in sustaining bilateral goodwill. He noted that cultural similarities and historical connections have supported exceptionally close relations over the past three decades.
The ambassador further urged expanded cooperation in healthcare, tourism, employment, and business sectors. He also called for launching major joint projects that could serve as visible symbols of the strategic partnership.
Academic leaders stressed that education has remained a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation since the early 1990s. The National University of Mongolia now maintains partnerships with 47 South Korean universities and research institutions.
University officials highlighted Korean-backed programs supporting language education, researcher training, and academic exchanges. They added that development assistance from South Korean institutions continues strengthening Mongolia’s human resource capacity.
Veteran diplomats attending the forum reflected on the evolution of ties since diplomatic relations were established in 1990. Speakers cited growing labor migration, rising student exchanges, and expanding investment flows shaping the bilateral relationship.
More than 60,000 Mongolian citizens currently live and work in South Korea, according to figures shared during the event. Trade volume has surpassed $520 million, reinforcing the economic dimension of the strategic partnership.
Participants concluded that combining Mongolia’s natural resources with South Korea’s advanced technologies offers strong potential for regional cooperation. They expressed confidence that sustained academic dialogue would continue supporting long-term bilateral stability.
