Park Guen-hye, the president of South Korea, visited Kazakhstan last week to hold a bilateral meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on the international climate, key issues, denuclearization and expanding economic relations.

"Since the early days of our independence we have been studying reforms that were carried out in your country," Nazarbayev said, according to The Astana Times. "I have met with all the presidents of South Korea, starting with Roh Tae-woo. Our relationships, which we began to build in those years, are at a very good level now. I hope your visit will create conditions for even closer cooperation. We want to have close political and economic relations with your country."

The two countries pledged a total of $10 billion toward supporting joint projects, such as the construction of a coal-fired power plant and a petrochemical complex in Kazakhstan. Currently more than 250 South Korean companies operate in Kazakhstan.