Established in 1960, the South Korea-Malaysia relations have continuously developed and reached the present day. The relations developed within the framework of mutual interests and regional cooperation are important for ensuring economic and political stability in ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, dialogues conducted through the ASEAN platform are increasing multilateral cooperation in the region and playing an active role in mediating solutions that support diplomatic resolutions in contentious issues such as the South China Sea.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have agreed to establish a strategic partnership to deepen bilateral cooperation in defense industry, trade, energy, supply chains, and other areas.[1]
In their joint statement, the two leaders praised the progress made in their relations in recent years and announced the establishment of a Strategic Partnership, which “expresses the determination of both countries to take their cooperation to new horizons in order to promote freedom, peace, and prosperity and to address future challenges.” The statement also presented a characteristically comprehensive and ambitious bilateral cooperation program. In this context, an agreement was reached to enhance defense exchanges and to continue exploring ways to collaborate in the fields of “research and development (R&D), military technology cooperation, and the defense industry.” This development follows an agreement in May 2023, in which South Korea is set to provide Malaysia with 18 FA-50M light fighter jets worth approximately $920 million as part of efforts to modernize the Royal Malaysian Air Force.[2]
This comprehensive partnership not only strengthens the ties between the two countries but also means that South Korea will further enhance its connections with the ASEAN region through Malaysia, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In this way, the relationship, which is highlighted by economic ties, has gained a strategic dimension. Especially when considering the centrality of ASEAN, the South Korea-Malaysia partnership is of critical importance in the multilateral cooperation process in the Asia-Pacific region. Because ASEAN develops its ties with countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan in the Asia-Pacific through platforms such as ASEAN+3 or the East Asia Summit (EAS), establishing a balanced and impartial framework in the region. Thus, conflicts that may arise in the region are effectively mitigated, thereby fostering balance and stability. In this context, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which promotes security cooperation, stands out. Defense industry cooperation between South Korea and Malaysia will be effective in increasing ASEAN’s security capacity and in more coordinated regional defense against external threats if South Korea supplies defense technology to ASEAN countries through Malaysia.
This cooperation will enhance the trade dynamics between South Korea and ASEAN, which are mutually significant trade partners. As members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), South Korea and Malaysia will similarly play an active role in strengthening trade on this platform. Thus, ASEAN’s effectiveness in trade will increase, contributing to regional integration economically as well.
Within the framework of the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund, South Korea’s strategic partnership with Malaysia will further strengthen ASEAN’s trade ties with South Korea, enhancing both regional prosperity and the global influence of the Asia-Pacific. By ensuring regional stability and development, innovative projects will be initiated based on partnerships in the region. The strategic partnership between Malaysia, a member of ASEAN, and South Korea, which has a developed economy and advanced industry, will play a significant role in extensive integration and development due to its connections with many platforms.
The development of relations between South Korea and ASEAN will both increase mutual economic gains and enhance regional integration by serving as a strong example of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Other ASEAN countries are likely to establish similar partnerships with South Korea, allowing South Korea to form broader partnerships. Additionally, the prominence of ASEAN as a regional platform at this point allows it to gain strength on the international stage.
In fact, the South Korea-Malaysia partnership will serve as a catalyst for the Asia-Pacific region. By affecting many areas such as the economy, regional stability, integration, collective defense, and security, it fosters cooperation and creates an environment for a more cohesive and resilient framework. In other words, this partnership, beyond the interests of the two countries, concerns the political, economic, and security policies of the entire region, possessing an inclusive and strategic characteristic.
On the other hand, Malaysia’s cooperation with China and South Korea is of critical importance in maintaining the strategic balance of power in the region. The cooperation between South Korea and Malaysia can be considered a step towards balancing the influence of the United States and its allies in the region. Moreover, the strengthening of ties between South Korea, and particularly China, and ASEAN member states under the Belt and Road Initiative significantly contributes to shaping the region’s balance of power policy. Malaysia, on the other hand, serves as a strategic nexus for the formation of mediating and multilateral collaborations.
[1] “S. Korea, Malaysia forge strategic partnership to expand cooperation”, Yonhap News Agency, https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241125004651315, (Accessed date: 11.25.2024).
[2] “Malaysia and South Korea Pledge Deeper Cooperation on Defence, Trade”, The Diplomat, https://thediplomat.com/2024/11/malaysia-and-south-korea-pledge-deeper-cooperation-on-defense-trade/, (Accessed date: 11.26.2024).
