Korean-Turkmen Seminar on Cooperation in the Textile Industry Was Held in Ashgabat
ASHGABAT, June 9, 2026 — A Korean-Turkmen technical seminar on cooperation in the textile industry was held today in the capital city. Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Turkmenistan in cooperation with the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan, the event focused on digital transformation, the implementation of artificial intelligence, and scientific and technical exchange. The seminar brought together leading researchers, international experts, and representatives of relevant institutions from both countries.
The seminar was opened by Lee Won-jae, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan. In his welcoming remarks, the diplomat emphasized that combining Turkmenistan’s rich raw material resources with advanced Korean technologies could provide a powerful impetus for the development of the industry. On the Turkmen side, Deputy Minister of Textile Industry Togtamyrat Meredov welcomed the participants and presented a detailed overview of the current state and industrial potential of the national textile sector.
The main part of the event featured expert presentations on technological innovations. Cha Hee Chul, Principal Researcher at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), introduced the comprehensive K-TEXTILE system and provided a detailed explanation of its mechanisms for supporting the textile sector.
Particular interest was generated by the presentation of Park Geun Hye, Senior Researcher at KITECH, on the application of generative artificial intelligence in clothing design and the fashion industry. As a practical example of digital design, she showcased the concept of the “Gorp-quette” Turkmen ethnic collection for the Spring–Summer 2027 season, in which AI successfully combined contemporary youth fashion trends with traditional Turkmen ornamental patterns. The use of such AI agents makes it possible to automate trend forecasting, accelerate content creation, and significantly reduce the costs associated with producing physical prototypes.
The final presentation was delivered by Nam Seung Il, CEO of SL TECH, who addressed current issues related to global sourcing, production cost optimization, and the development of efficient value chains. He also introduced innovative functional textiles, including cooling and thermoregulating fabrics, UV-protective materials, moisture-absorbing thermal underwear, and smart textiles featuring thermochromic microcapsules that change color depending on ambient temperature.
Following the official program, delegates moved on to practical cooperation through technical consultations and business meetings. Representatives of Turkmen enterprises had the opportunity to discuss technical matters directly with Korean specialists, including the procurement of smart materials and the implementation of the software solutions presented during the seminar into local production processes.
To learn more about cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea in the textile industry, read our feature article: From Cotton to High Technology: The Development of Textile Partnership Between Turkmenistan and Korea
