With the upgrading of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and commitments to cooperation in various fields, Malaysia-South Korea relations have taken a new step forward.
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| South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Seoul on November 25. (Source: Reuters) |
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during Anwar Ibrahim's visit to South Korea from November 24-26.
This is Anwar Ibrahim's first official visit to the Northeast Asian nation since assuming the position of Prime Minister in November 2022. According to the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the visit aims to "further strengthen the bilateral relationship, which has developed remarkably over the years, looking forward to the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025 and to boost investment from South Korea."
According to the Malaysian news agency Bernama , a key highlight of the three-day visit was the meeting between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and President Yoon Suk Yeol. The two sides discussed pressing regional and international issues, shared views on Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair and South Korea's role as APEC Chair in 2025, and cooperation in the field of defense and security.
The leaders of the two countries pledged to conclude negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement by 2025 to increase cooperation in services, investment, and emerging industries such as biotechnology and green energy, digital technology, artificial intelligence, Halal products and services, etc. The two leaders witnessed the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation in higher education and climate change.
During his visit, Prime Minister Anwar also attended the Malaysia-Korea Business Forum, which was attended by 147 major Korean companies and corporations, including Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SIMMTECH, Poongsan Corporation, Lotte Energy Materials, Kumho Petrochemical, and others.
According to Bernama data, by the end of September 2024, trade between the two countries reached nearly US$18 billion. Last year, South Korea was Malaysia's eighth largest trading partner with trade value reaching nearly US$24.5 billion. Meanwhile, Malaysia was South Korea's third largest trading partner among ASEAN member countries and the twelfth largest globally.
Speaking to reporters, President Yoon Suk Yeol said, “I hope that beyond trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, bilateral cooperation will expand to defense, the arms industry, and emerging fields such as green hydrogen and critical minerals.” Meanwhile, Anwar Ibrahim stated that Malaysia considers cooperation in the defense industry as “a symbol of mutual trust” and agreed to promote cooperation in defense technology research and development.
Previously, in May 2023, Korea Aerospace Industries signed an agreement to supply 18 FA-50 fighter jets to Malaysia and is now inviting the Southeast Asian nation to purchase the light attack jet.
Regarding international and regional issues, the two leaders expressed concern about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, as well as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. The Malaysian Prime Minister expressed support for the South Korean President's vision of a stable and unified Korean Peninsula and welcomed Seoul's peace efforts in the region.
With the upgrading of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, a plan that had been in place since the administration of his predecessor, Moon Jae-in, and commitments to cooperation in various fields, the relationship between Seoul and Kuala Lumpur has taken a new, closer step amidst the unpredictable regional situation.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/quan-he-malaysia-han-quoc-nang-cap-de-thich-ung-295393.html
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