Malaysia- South Korea relations have deepened in recent years, especially in areas such as security and energy transition. However, there is much to explore for elevated ties between Malaysia and South Korea, such as in cultural diplomacy, small-medium enterprise development and the digital economy. Furthermore, there are goals under South Korea’s Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) which could be tapped into, especially in maritime security and maritime engagements for regional peace and prosperity.
The year 2025 is significant for Malaysia due to Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship. Expected on the agenda are discussions on ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Yet also to be noted are maturity of plans and documents such as the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, ASEAN Political-Security Blueprint 2025, ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025. Amid geostrategic flux and geopolitical power competition, Malaysia and South Korea could catalyse partnership that strengthens ASEAN and ASEAN’s approaches for security, economy and socio-cultural prosperity.
The public half-day programme seeks to discuss means and methods of elevating Malaysia-ROK relations to the next level, especially in economic areas. Additionally, the programme would aim to explore Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 while investigating meaningful engagements for ASEAN beyond 2025. The Malaysia Scholars on Korea Network is pleased to put together a programme that brings together government representatives, members of the academia and the interested public for conversations on Malaysia-South Korea relations in the nation, region and global stage.
HE Yeo Seung-bae
Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah
Fairuz Adli Mohd Rozali
Great power competition has shaped trade alliances, definitions of national security and regional architectures. In the mid of rivalries, are strategic powers aiming to realise ambitions, whether it is for security and regime survival such as Russia and North Korea, or for development purposes such as India. The ASEAN-South Korea partnership, expected to be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by the end of 2024, would have to consider current geostrategic developments, South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Goals aim to advance peace and security for all, build a smarter, greener and connected future, and create a socio-cultural platform for young and future generations.
- What are South Korea’s expectations for Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship?
- Will ASEAN’s economic community address present and future geoeconomic tensions for both ASEAN and South Korea?
- How could ASEAN improve ASEAN-led mechanisms, especially in an environment fraught with minilateral arrangements, internal turmoil and domestic priorities?
- What are the means of collaboration between Malaysia and South Korea to strengthen ASEAN’s ability for peace and prosperity in Southeast and Northeast Asia?
Moderator
Yanitha Meena Louis
Speakers
Dr Lee Jaehyon
Dr Geetha Govindasamy
Jukhee Hong
Malaysia’s international relations have always centered on economic engagements. Announced at the 2019 ASEAN Commemorative is the elevation of Malaysia-South Korea relations in principle. On the back of policies such as South Korea’s New Southern Policy, Indo-Pacific Strategy and Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, Malaysia-South Korea relations have deepened, especially in areas such as energy transition and defence industries. However, there are areas to be explored further such as the digital economy and in high tech industries. As a bilateral FTA crawls to completion, could an elevated strategic partnership strengthen Malaysia-South Korea relations?
- What are achievements and milestones of Malaysia-South Korea relations?
- How could Malaysia and South Korea strengthen economic relations?
- What are programmes to inculcate cooperation and collaboration in South Korea and Malaysia’s digital value chain? Are there avenues of cooperation in AI industries, for instance?
- Could South Korea and Malaysia elevate relations on technical assistance and capacity building or supply chain resilience?
Moderator
Arividya Arimuthu
Speakers
Dr Ko Young Kyung
YB Liew Chin Tong
Dr Pieter E Stek
The Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network
The Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network links Malaysian scholars, policymakers and think-tankers in conversations on Malaysia-South Korea relations. Through the years, MASK events have explored the intricacies of a Malaysia-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a special meeting following president Moon Jae-in’s visit to Malaysia, possibilities for Asean engagement in the Korean Peninsula and South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in Southeast Asia.
Organisers
