"ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA: THE ROLE OF TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS IN INDUSTRIAL MODERNIZATION AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS"

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the participation of South Korean transnational corporations (TNCs) in the industrial development and technological modernization of the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The purpose of the study is to identify the strategic role of Korean business groups (chaebols) as institutional actors that contribute to the diversification of the republic's industrial base. The main results of the study confirm that the activities of such giants as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, SK Group, and POSCO have transformed from simple capital exports to deep integration into production chains, resulting in more than $7 billion in foreign direct investment. The study focuses on the electronics, petrochemicals, and automotive sectors. It concludes that the implementation of new cooperation mechanisms, such as the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) and the Sustainable Partnership Agreement (STEP), is essential for the development of the Korean economy.