Kim Young-ryong’s weeklong trip comes at the invitation of the defense chiefs of the two Central Asian countries, it added.

"Vice Defense Minister Kim will introduce the government’s reconciliation and peace policy based on the results of the inter-Korean summit in October and the ensuing defense ministerial talks," a ministry official said.

Also on the agenda for Kim’s talks with the Uzbek and Kazak defense chiefs are ways of promoting defense ties and cooperation in the defense industry, he added.

It is the first time for the South Korean vice defense minister to visit the nations and it is expected to serve as a chance for Seoul to diversify its military diplomacy, the official said.