60 years and beyond:
Preparing Malaysia-Republic of Korea relations for a new era
Thursday, 10 December 2020
1000 – 1500 MYT; 1100 – 1600 KST
(Lunch break: 1200-1330 MYT, 1300-1430 KST)
The 60th birthday is a significant milestone in Korean culture. Known as Hwangap, the 60th year marks the completion of the full 60-year calendar (or the sexagenary cycle). While a celebration for the 60 years of Malaysia-Republic of Korea (ROK) relations is well deserved, so too is a comprehensive assessment of the current state of bilateral relations. In no way meant to taking anything away from the past, it must be admitted that Malaysia-ROK relations has yet to explore many untapped opportunities. On one hand, half of South Korea’s trade with ASEAN is with Vietnam, highlighting how room for trade with the other ASEAN members has potential to grow. On the other hand, despite an uptick in people-to- people relations between Malaysia and South Korea, the former’s trade relationship with South Korea pales in comparison to its economic partnership with Singapore, China, US and Japan.
Meanwhile, surrounding circumstances is providing opportunities and challenges for bilateral relations. With the turn of the decade, a pandemic is testing both domestic and multilateral capacities for containment, mitigation and solutions inclusive of global food security and health diplomacy. Events on the Korean Peninsula also tests the stability of the region as ongoing peace processes sputters in the midst of shifting US-North Korea relations. As trends of protectionism and bifurcation continues, both Malaysia and South Korea face a world swayed by external factors.
Nonetheless, this relationship can grow in a positive trajectory. President Moon Jae-in proclaimed the vision of “People-centred community of Peace and Prosperity” when launching the New Southern Policy in 2017 and since then made extensive efforts to enhance cooperation with ASEAN, including Malaysia. A notable achievement is the establishment of Bureau of ASEAN Affairs accorded the same weightage as South Korea’s engagement with China and Japan, an endeavour structured under the New Southern Policy. Additionally, the announcement of “a deal in principle” to upgrade Malaysia-ROK relations to a strategic partnership, made on the side-lines of the 30th ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit, is as good a reason for optimism as any. With many possibilities in store, this one day MASK Network event aims to reflect on Malaysia-ROK relations through the years, and discuss pathways to the new era.
times are in MYT (GMT +8)
1000 : Opening ceremony: Celebrating Malaysia and ROK relations at 60
1000 : Welcoming remarks
Mr Herizal Hazri
Chief Executive
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS)
Malaysia
1015 : Opening remarks
HE Lee Chi Beom
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Malaysia
1030 : Appointment and introduction of New MASK Members
1040 : Group photo
*MASK members to switch video on
1045 – 1200 : Session 1
Malaysia-ROK at 60: Lessons from the past, present and assessments for the future
This session hopes to ignite conversations about Malaysia-ROK relations at 60, drawing particularly on history and challenges of sustaining a relationship in the past, to plan for the success of a strategic partnership in the future. Key takeaways could highlight underutilised or less-known roles Malaysia or South Korea played in the development of the other’s nation and reflections of present political and economic ties between South Korea and Malaysia. The session could explore challenges in deepening relations between South Korea and Malaysia and converse on progress of a strategic partnership between the two countries
Moderator
Dr Zokhri Idris
Deputy Dean
Student Affairs
Management and Science University (MSU)
Malaysia
Co-moderator
Ms Farlina Said
Analyst, Foreign Policy and Security Studies (FPSS)
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), and
Member, Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network
Malaysia
Speakers
Professor Hwang In-won
Professor, Department of Political Science
Gyeongsang National University
Republic of Korea
Dr Lee Jaehyon
Senior Fellow
Center for ASEAN and Oceania Studies
The Asan Institute for Policy Studies
Republic of Korea
Dr Hoo Chiew-Ping
Senior Lecturer, Strategic Studies and International Relations Programme
School of History, Politics and Strategic Studies
National University of Malaysia (UKM), and
Member, Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network
Malaysia
Discussion
1200 : Break
1330 – 1445 : Session 2
Crafting pragmatic ways forward
In the midst of competing regional policies such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative as well as Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure, South Korea’s New Southern Policy has to seek niche areas of collaboration which could grow relations between Malaysia and South Korea. This session aims to deepen discussions in three areas: the first is learning from South Korea’s experience to develop Malaysia as a contributor to international aid and development, the second is the promotion of Malaysia-ROK cooperation in the maritime sector and the third is to identify specific areas for future technologies collaboration. Key takeaways could highlight underutilised or niche areas that could be explored, challenges when it comes to mechanisms of implementations and build pragmatic ways forward to implement the New Southern Policy.
Moderator
Professor Hong Seok-Joon
Department of Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology
Mokpo National University
Republic of Korea
Co-moderator
Mr Harris Zainul
Analyst, Economics, Trade and Regional Integration (ETRI)
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), and
Member, Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network
Malaysia
Speakers
Dr Ko Young Kyung
Senior Research Fellow
Department of Accounting
Sunway University, Malaysia
Republic of Korea
Ms Sumathy Permal
Fellow and Head
Centre for Straits of Malacca
Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA)
Malaysia
Dr Lee Jae Yong
Director
Smart City Research Center
Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements
Republic of Korea
Dr Fahmi Ngah
Managing Director
Smart Selangor Delivery Unit (SSDU)
Malaysia
Discussion
1445 : Closing ceremony
Closing remarks
Mr Herizal Hazri
Chief Executive
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS)
Malaysia
HE Lee Chi Beom
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Malaysia
1500 : Public event ends
The Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network
The Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network (launched in 2017) is a network linking Malaysian scholars, policymakers and think tankers in a conversation on Malaysia-ROK relations. Through the years, MASK events have explored the intricacies of a Malaysia-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a special meeting following President Moon Jae-in’s visit to Malaysia and possibilities for ASEAN engagement in the Korean Peninsula.