It has been a while since I've touched upon Central Asia, so this one is due. Moreover, even if I write about Central Asia in general, this time I'll write about a country I rarely mention: Uzbekistan. Some will say what is important about it, as we already know much about it. Plus, it is one of the countries that Korea has been working most closely with in Central Asia. Well, not everything has been properly mentioned, especially what Uzbekistan is doing, which is an example of unequivocal importance to Korea.

First of all, let's look at Uzbekistan's recent history. Between former Soviet republics, it is one that has been developing most steadily, and it is primarily due to the choices that the government, led by President Karimov, made several decades ago. If his choices came after studying Korea's development experience, namely planned development, then today the current administration, led by President Mirziyoyev, is looking even further at what should and shouldn't be a part of the plan.

One standout feature of these choices is the emphasis on comprehensive strategic planning. For example, the 2030 Strategy, enacted in 2023, lays out specific targets for education, health care, environmental sustainability and economic diversification, ensuring accountability and, most importantly, measurable progress. The current administration took the matter further by adjusting the plan from 5 years to 7 years, and now the country is also preparing to align the length of the presidential term with it. That means energizing its development by annual assessments reported directly to the people by the president himself at the end of each year.

Uzbekistan's approach in its commitment to decentralization and local governance simply echoes the traditional social structure of Korean villages in the past. By empowering local councils and community organizations, Uzbekistan seeks to create solutions to regional needs and strengthen grassroots participation. Uzbekistan's focus on economic diversification is another area of interest. This strategy emphasizes transitioning to a more value-added economy by encouraging private sector growth and supporting innovation. Just last month, the government enacted a law supporting start-ups, creating "sandboxes" and innovation "incubators."

The most important difference, as I see it, is the government's special emphasis on its young generation. Uzbekistan's vision of the future is for it to be in the hands of educated future generations, so it creates it by modernizing curricula, expanding vocational training and creating public-private partnerships in education. It happens not just domestically but also internationally. You'd be asking what makes this approach different from any other, as there are many countries taking this course. The answer is in the starting point of this education — embedding cultural traditions and the history of the country. The outreach of this education goes all the way to foreign policy — it emphasizes cultural diplomacy and national identity at its core. By promoting its heritage and cultural exports, the goal for Uzbekistan is not just about its image but its global presence.

Going beyond societal and economic spheres, Uzbekistan' strategy sets ambitious environmental sustainability goals — water conservation, renewable energy adoption and reforestation — particularly relevant as climate change cataclysms have become more acute in the last decade.

So, what is in Uzbekistan's development for Korea? As it was for Uzbekistan a couple of decades ago, Korea needs to learn from it in order to advance — it is an example. A key takeaway from this little glimpse at what Uzbekistan is doing is an incredible vigor and resilience. What Korea took to achieve in several decades, Uzbekistan is trying to compress the time. In some cases, it took almost half of that.

Korea needs a comprehensive roadmap for socioeconomic, political and environmental reforms. This ambitious plan, focused on measurable goals across multiple sectors, presents valuable lessons for countries like Korea, which, despite its advanced development, continues to wrangle with issues like regional disparities, low birthrates and an aging population. Korea, already experienced in long-term planning, could refine its strategies further by integrating clearly defined, outcome-based goals in areas such as addressing demographic decline and bolstering regional equity. Uzbekistan's example highlights how clearly articulated objectives can rally public support and focus efforts across sectors.

Now, Korea must learn from others — it can adopt similar measures to invigorate its economy and rural areas, many of which are experiencing population decline and economic stagnation. With greater autonomy and resources to local governments and rebalanced regional development must come specially designed solutions to springboard regional resilience.

Korea, with its heavy reliance on "chaebols," or large family-owned business conglomerates, could benefit from policies aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and diversifying economic drivers. Emerging industries like green energy, biotechnology and digital services would strengthen sustainable economic growth while reducing dependency on traditional manufacturing sectors.

Yes, Korea's reality and priorities differ significantly, but certain aspects of Uzbekistan's strategy could provide fresh perspectives on addressing its own pressing issues. Korea, already renowned for hallyu or the Korean Wave, could enhance its soft power by diversifying its cultural diplomacy to include traditional arts, literature and historical narratives alongside contemporary pop culture. A balanced cultural promotion strategy could deepen global appreciation for Korea's rich history and traditions.

Another compelling lesson from Uzbekistan is its push for regional integration and cooperation. Uzbekistan prioritizes strengthening ties within Central Asia through economic, environmental and cultural collaboration. Korea could benefit from adopting a similar mindset in Northeast Asia, creating regional partnerships in trade, environmental initiatives and cultural exchanges. Expanding cooperative efforts with neighboring countries could stabilize relations with the North and create a foundation for mutual trust in the region.

To conclude, Uzbekistan's 2030 Strategy shows how a country can address systemic challenges through planning, governance and forward-looking policies. For Korea, with all its differences, the principles of transparency, sustainability and inclusivity embedded into a similar strategy can strengthen its own policies and become more resilient in the face of the complexities ahead.

Eugene Lee (mreulee@gmail.com) is a lecturing professor at the Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Specializing in international relations and governance, his research and teaching focus on national and regional security, international development, government policies and Northeast and Central Asia.