Tokayev calls Kazakhstan’s 120,000 Koreans "golden bridge" to South Korea

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described the country’s approximately 120,000 ethnic Koreans as a “golden bridge” of friendship and mutual understanding between Kazakhstan and South Korea.

Tokayev made the remarks during a meeting with Cho Jung-sik, speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.

Around 120,000 Koryo-saram, or ethnic Koreans, currently live in Kazakhstan. Their ancestors were relocated to the country in the 1930s.

The two countries are preparing to mark a significant anniversary in the history of Kazakhstan’s Korean community. The year 2027 will mark 90 years since the beginning of the relocation of Koreans to Kazakhstan, with the anniversary expected to be commemorated at a high level.

By Tamilla Hasanova