The trip, his first to the region since his inauguration last year, is aimed at further promoting his government’s "New Asia Initiative," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press statement.

Under the initiative, unveiled during Lee’s visit to Jakarta in early March, Seoul aims to play a central role in representing the interest of Asian nations in the international arena. South Korea would also conclude free trade agreements with all Asian countries and establish a green growth belt in the Asian-Pacific region.

According to the statement, Lee will fly to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, on May 10 and hold a summit with Uzbek President Islam Karimov on the following day to discuss various bilateral cooperation projects, including development of new gas fields and airport modernization.

Following a three-day visit to Uzbekistan, Lee plans to arrive in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on 12 May, where he will hold a series of meetings with Kazakh political and business leaders.

On 13 May, Lee will hold a summit with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev for discussions on expanding cooperation in various infrastructure and energy projects, including the construction of a thermal power plant and a joint exploration of the Zambil mine on the coast of the Caspian, the Cheong Wa Dae statement said.