Why did South Korea win the fight for Uzbekistan?

Why did South Korea win the fight for Uzbekistan?
Why did South Korea oust Uzbekistan's longtime allies, Russia and China, and overtake the United States?
The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid his longest state visit in 2017. In four days, the Uzbek delegation led by the President signed more than 60 documents worth more than $ 10 billion in South Korea.

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The visit to South Korea was not the first foreign trip for Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Earlier, the President visited the main geopolitical participants in the region - Russia, China, the United States and Turkey, as well as the countries of the region - Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. During all the visits, agreements were reached on the implementation of projects worth billions of dollars, the development of trade and other areas of cooperation.

But it can be said that these agreements were expected in advance. China, which likes to sign many documents, intends to reinvest its money in its production through Uzbekistan. For example, Chinese companies are building small and medium-sized hydropower plants, activating geological exploration, setting up joint ventures in the production of building materials and chemicals, and creating elements of the "Safe City" system.
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It is important to understand that the Uzbek government is cautious about China's soft economic invasion and determines its own areas of cooperation so that its partner does not become its master in the future. In addition, China is active in the international arena, especially in disputes with its neighbors, and Uzbekistan prefers not to interfere in the conflicts of others.
The republic is experiencing a new era of revival in relations with Russia. However, while acknowledging the positive growth, it should be noted that the "big brother" in the north has its own concerns. Therefore, it does not pay enough resource and attention to Uzbekistan. In addition, most of the agreements signed during the visit to Russia are based on Russian businessmen of Uzbek origin, not the state.
South Korea is a country with a great mix of financial capabilities and a common mentality, with many positive aspects.
First, it does not pursue global geopolitical goals, such as China, Russia, the United States, and Turkey. It is true that Koreans have their own national interests, but they do not interfere in the affairs of other countries, do not seek to rule the world, or make other countries economically dependent. This confirms why South Korea was the only country where the first President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, entrusted the implementation of strategic projects on a national scale. Turkey, Russia, the United States and China, which have long held on to the ropes, are well aware of Karimov's careful selection of partners.
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First of all, modernization
Today, South Korea is not only one of Uzbekistan's main investors, but also a leading partner in the modernization and digitization of the national economy and public administration.
It was South Korean experts who started building the country's "e-government" and are continuing to do so. Kim Nam Sok, First Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Security of Korea, served for four years as Deputy Minister of Information Technology and Communications, and Lee Chul-soo, another expert, as Vice-Rector of Tashkent University of Information Technology.
Migration
Cooperation in the field of labor migration is also important for the parties. Uzbekistan has become one of the few countries that has the right to send labor migrants to South Korea. In 2007-2017, more than 27,000 Uzbek citizens were sent to work in the country on a voluntary basis. More than 50,000 Uzbeks currently work in South Korea.
The fact that Uzbekistan has become the homeland of many Koreans by fate is also significant in the strong relations between the two countries.
Korean diaspora
A large part of the Korean diaspora also plays an important role in the development of Uzbekistan. For example, Valery Tyan managed the National Airline of Uzbekistan for 15 years, and Agrepina Shin was appointed Minister of Preschool Education. In general, the largest Korean diaspora in the CIS is in Uzbekistan, with more than 180,000 members and the fourth largest in the world.
This fact plays an important role in the development of cultural and humanitarian ties. Inha University, one of the leading universities in South Korea, operates in Tashkent. In the future, it is planned to open several more schools - Inha University Medical School, Yoju University of Technology and others.
A Korean citizen has held one of the highest positions in Uzbekistan
Kim Yong Se, President of the Korean Institute of Personnel Development, became an Honorary Adviser to the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations of Uzbekistan, and Jung Song Choi, an expert, was appointed Deputy Director General of the Center for Securities Market Coordination and Development.
All of this means that the Uzbek government is not afraid to include Koreans in key areas of government. And this cooperation will be further strengthened, as LG CNS Uzbekistan Uzbek-South Korean joint venture will implement a number of strategic projects to modernize the digitalization of various spheres of life in Uzbek society.
The Republic of Korea is one of the leading trade economic and investment partners of Uzbekistan in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2016, the trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $ 1 billion. Uzbekistan's share in South Korea's trade with Central Asia is almost 50 percent.
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Last week, on December 17, an official welcoming ceremony of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held at the Chong Wa De residence of the President of the Republic of Korea in Seoul. After that, the heads of state held talks with the participation of official delegations of the two countries.
During the talks, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to declare 2022 the Year of Mutual Exchange between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea, and to establish a library in Tashkent at the Museum of Korean History and the Korean House of Culture and Arts.
On December 18, in Seoul, the President of Uzbekistan held a meeting with the heads of leading companies and financial structures of the Republic of Korea.
At the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of 40 new projects with Korean companies totaling more than $5 billion in areas such as digitalization, green energy, mechanical engineering, agriculture, textile industry, pharmaceuticals, geology and many other areas.
“Our main goal is to make Korean business feel comfortable in Uzbekistan,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.