PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP 

BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND MALAYSIA

1. On the occasion of the Official Visit by His Excellency Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia to the Republic of Korea from 24 to 26 November 2024, His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and His Excellency Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia had a bilateral meeting on 25 November 2024.

2. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960, the ROK and Malaysia have worked together to build close ties of cooperation in a wide range of areas, including politics, security, trade and investment, environment, energy, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

3. In November 2019, the Prime Minister of Malaysia undertook an Official Visit to the ROK, and the Leaders of the two countries took stock of the significant progress made in the bilateral relations and agreed to elevate the status of ROK-Malaysia relations to a Strategic Partnership.

4. During their bilateral meeting on 25 November 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim formally announced the elevation of the bilateral relations between the ROK and Malaysia to a Strategic Partnership, signifying the commitment of both countries to expanding cooperation to new horizons so as to promote freedom, peace, and prosperity and to addressing the pressing challenges moving forward.

5. Under this Strategic Partnership, President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed their determination to strengthen bilateral cooperation specifically in the following four (4) areas:

I. Political and Security Cooperation

6. Both sides agreed to increase high-level exchanges and regular contacts at all levels to strengthen the relations between the ministries, agencies, and parliaments of the ROK and Malaysia. Noting the resumption of the Malaysia-ROK Bilateral Consultation on 26 June 2024 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, both sides decided to boost strategic cooperation through active policy consultations and to hold more bilateral meetings on issues of mutual interest on the sidelines of multilateral meetings.

7. Recognizing that cooperation in the defence industry is a symbol of mutual trust in a robust Strategic Partnership, both sides agreed to continue to explore ways to work together for research and development (R&D), military technology cooperation, and the defence industry.

8. Both sides acknowledged the importance of conducting regular exchanges between their military and defence establishments, and agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Defence, which was signed by the two countries in April 2022.

9. Both sides affirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation on non-traditional security issues, such as in response to drug trafficking and cybersecurity. In this context, the two sides welcomed the recent cooperation programs aimed at dealing with drug trafficking and cybercrime, including cryptocurrency heist.

II. Economic Cooperation

(i) Trade and Investment Cooperation

10. Both sides recognized the dynamic and mutually beneficial economic partnership between the two countries. As the ROK is one of the largest sources of foreign investment in Malaysia, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further promoting a conducive environment to investment in line with the environment, social and governance (ESG) principles, as well as to expanding R&D and technological exchanges between ROK and Malaysian businesses with a special focus on fourth industrial revolution technologies, the digital economy, halal ecosystem as well as the green agenda.

11. Reaffirming the need to further expand mutual trade, investment, and economic cooperation, both sides agreed to accelerate the bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations resumed in March 2024 with the aim to conclude the negotiations by 2025. Both sides agreed to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for businesses in the ROK and Malaysia, including SMEs. Through the FTA, both sides agreed to facilitate cooperation not only in the fields of trade and investment, but also in emerging areas such as the digital economy, the green economy, and the bioeconomy.

12. Both sides recognize the importance of deepening cooperation on economic security including cooperation in areas and issues such as supply chain resilience.

13. Noting that collaboration on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups could reinforce innovation and national competitiveness, both sides agreed to provide further assistance to boost cooperation and exchanges between ROK and Malaysian SMEs and start-ups.

(ii) LEP 2.0 Cooperation

14. Having commemorated its 40th Anniversary in 2023, both sides recognized that the Look East Policy (LEP) has contributed to enhancing the economic relations between the two countries since its inception in 1983. Recalling the adoption of the Guiding Document of the Second Wave of the Look East Policy (LEP 2.0) in 2014, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together to maximise the potential of LEP 2.0 in strengthening economic and trade relations.

15. Both sides further recognized the significant role of the Economic Cooperation Committee (ECC) in strengthening economic cooperation under LEP 2.0 and reaffirmed their commitment to hold ECC Meetings regularly.

(iii) Digital and ICT Cooperation

16. Recognizing the importance of digital government in increasing the competitiveness and driving the economic growth of the two countries, both sides agreed to work together more closely on digital government through knowledge sharing, joint capacity-building activities, and consultations.

17. Noting the launch of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint in February 2021, both sides agreed to explore ways to strengthen cooperation in areas such as ICT policies, 5G, AI, and Big Data based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Information and Communications Technology Cooperation signed by the two countries in November 2019. Both sides highlighted the value of ICT in achieving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and noted with satisfaction the successful completion of the IT cooperation project on AI-based smart farms.

(iv) Infrastructure Cooperation

18. Both sides acknowledged that infrastructure is a major driving force of economic growth and prosperity and pledged to further increase cooperation in a multitude of areas including transportation, connectivity, and smart city development. Both sides agreed to renew the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Smart City Development signed in March 2019.

19. Both sides acknowledged the importance of holding the ROK-Malaysia Working Committee Meeting on Cooperation in the Field of Transport so as to share knowledge for developing the transportation industry and to cooperate in setting transportation safety and technical standards. They agreed to provide continued support for enhancing cooperation between relevant railroad agencies.

(v) Healthcare and Medical Science Cooperation

20. Recognizing the need for closer cooperation in healthcare and medical science in preparing for potential future outbreaks, with the most recent COVID-19 pandemic as a learning opportunity, both sides decided to work together to strengthen their response capabilities to infectious diseases in such ways as sharing relevant policies, best practices, and experiences, and by fostering training opportunities, research and development (R&D), as well as product development partnerships.

21. Both sides also agreed to expand cooperation in the healthcare industry – e.g., healthcare personnel exchanges, healthcare services, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, medical devices, and healthcare information systems – to promote the health of their peoples and foster the development of their healthcare industries, based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fields of Healthcare and Medical Science, signed by the two countries in November 2019.

(vi) Environment and Energy Cooperation

22. Reaffirming the importance of strengthening action against climate change, both sides agreed to enhance bilateral consultation and cooperation on matters related to, among others the reduction and/or removal of greenhouse gas emissions including Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), climate change adaptation, carbon neutral policies, and climate-friendly technologies, and welcomed the launch of the ROK-Malaysia Climate Change Dialogue in 2023.

23. Recognizing its importance in tackling climate change, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on carbon free energy, including clean hydrogen and nuclear technology and energy, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Both sides welcomed the National Energy Transition Roadmap of Malaysia and committed to strengthen cooperation through regional and global partnerships, including the Carbon Free Energy (CFE) Initiative proposed by the ROK.

24. Both sides welcomed the establishment of the Korea Environment Corporation office in Kuala Lumpur in 2022. They agreed to foster cooperation through this office, with a view to contributing to the management and improvement of air and water quality, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the enhancement of waste management systems throughout the Southeast Asian region.

(vii) Agriculture Cooperation

25. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture R&D, smart agriculture, and agricultural mechanization, with the aim of enhancing food security. On the basis of the principles of mutual benefits and equality, both sides also agreed to advance cooperation in the field of halal food.

III. Culture, Education and Tourism Cooperation

26. Both sides noted the importance of cultural and social exchanges in reinvigorating people-to-people links and agreed to continue to promote exchanges and cooperation projects in culture, arts, and heritage based on the Cultural Agreement signed and entered into force in 1965, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Culture, Arts and Heritage signed in December 2020.

27. Both sides agreed to enhance education cooperation in both public and private sectors. Noting that more than 5,000 Malaysians had studied in the ROK in the last four decades and the Korean Education Center in Kuala Lumpur was opened under the direct supervision of the ROK government in 2020, both sides expressed their desire to see continued exchanges of students and academics as well as language and cultural exchanges including through the King Sejong Institute. Both sides also decided to work together to foster Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) cooperation involving various participants, including central and local governments, TVET institutions, and corporations.

28. The ROK and Malaysia welcomed the significant increase in the number of visitors between the two countries, compared to when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, and agreed to further boost people-to-people exchange between the two countries. Both sides agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Tourism, which will deepen bilateral tourism cooperation and further facilitate the movement of people between the ROK and Malaysia. Both sides believe that tourism can be further facilitated by strengthening joint efforts in consular functions and increasing cooperation in consular matters.

IV. Regional and Global Cooperation

29. Both sides condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s ballistic missile launches, including its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on 31 October 2024, and usages of ballistic missile technology, which violate relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and constitute a threat to the regional and international peace and stability. Both sides strongly urged the DPRK to refrain from any further provocative and unlawful acts and abide by its obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Both sides also urged the DPRK to abandon all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. Both sides expressed concern on the deepening of the military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, that constitutes a serious breach of international law, including the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Malaysia welcomed the ROK’s efforts towards a denuclearized, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula, including its initiatives such as the “Audacious Initiative” and the “August 15 Unification Doctrine.” Both sides emphasized the importance of addressing issues of human rights and humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the immediate resolution of abductions and detainees issues.

30. Both sides expressed grave concern over the crisis in Gaza and escalation of violence in Lebanon and the consequent dire humanitarian situation. Both sides advocated for a peaceful solution of the conflict and demanded for an immediate, full, and complete ceasefire, unconditional release of all hostages and those arbitrarily detained, unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Both sides condemned all actions that threaten the safety of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and urged all parties to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL at all times. They also called for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and emphasized that the only way forward is breaking the vicious cycle of violence and retaliation and seeking a diplomatic solution.

31. Both sides noted with satisfaction the remarkable progress made in ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations, including through the implementation of the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (2021-2025) in line with the three pillars of the ASEAN Community. In conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations, Malaysia welcomed the ROK's renewed commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperation under the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI). Both sides agreed to work together more closely to further strengthen the meaningful, substantive, and mutually beneficial cooperation between ASEAN and the ROK. The ROK fully supports Malaysia's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. Both sides committed to work together for Malaysia’s successful ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.

32. Acknowledging that creating a free, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region is in the common interest of Malaysia and the ROK, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation based on the principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) such as ASEAN Centrality; openness; transparency; inclusivity; a rules-based order; good governance; respect for sovereignty; non-intervention; complementarity with existing cooperation frameworks; equality; mutual respect; mutual trust; mutual benefit; respect for international law such as the UN Charter, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and other relevant UN treaties and conventions; and respect for the ASEAN Charter, various ASEAN treaties and agreements, and the 2011 Declaration of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations.

33. The ROK reiterated its full support for ASEAN Centrality and the AOIP, and both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the four priority areas of the AOIP — maritime cooperation, connectivity, the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and economic and other possible areas — within existing ASEAN-led mechanisms.

34. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further promoting international peace as well as security, stability, and prosperity in the region and agreed to strengthen cooperation in addressing global issues such as food security, energy security, peaceful co-existence, nuclear security, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, development, economy, and climate change by utilizing ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Plus-One, ASEAN Plus Three, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus.

35. Both sides noted Malaysia's successful chairmanship and hosting of APEC in 2020 which resulted in the landmark APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 (PV 2040) aimed to create an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040 for the prosperity of all our people and future generations. Both sides also noted the importance of making progress in implementing the PV 2040, including through the Aotearoa Plan of Action. In this regard, both sides agreed to work closely together for the successful hosting of APEC Korea 2025.

36. Both sides welcomed the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the 15 Participating Countries and agreed to work closely in implementing the Agreement. RCEP aims at building a comprehensive, high quality, and mutually beneficial economic partnership that will facilitate the expansion of regional trade and investment as well as contribute to global economic growth and development.

37. Both sides welcomed the ROK’s continued support for promoting sub-regional cooperation; e.g., the establishment of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Republic of Korea (ROK) Cooperation Fund (BKCF) in October 2021 and its pledge to double its contribution by 2027. Both sides reiterated their support for narrowing the development gap and fostering equitable and sustainable development in the sub-region.