MALAYSIA, SOUTH KOREA HOLD BILATERAL CONSULTATION

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and South Korea held the 9th Korea-Malaysia Bilateral Consultation Meeting in Putrajaya on Wednesday (June 26), according to the South Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur Friday.

In a statement, the embassy said the meeting was attended by South Korea’s First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun and Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry’s Secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin. 

Kim was in Malaysia for a four-day visit from June 24. 

“They exchanged views on various issues including Korea-Malaysia bilateral relationship, economic, defence cooperation, energy and environment as well as regional and international cooperation,” said the statement.

The embassy said both sides evaluated the substantial progress in various fields of bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1960.

“They agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations through high-level exchanges and cooperation in various fields, based on the cooperation solidified through active high-level meetings last year, such as the Korea-Malaysia Summit held in September 2023, and two Foreign Ministers' meetings held in May and November 2023,” it said.

The statement said Kim welcomed the recent resumption of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two countries and proposed expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation in fields such as supply chains, halal food, and infrastructure.

In response, Amran welcomed the expansion of Korean companies' investment in Malaysia and expressed the government's continued commitment to creating a favourable business environment.

Both Kim and Amran agreed to continue mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of defence industry, said the embassy.

According to the statement, bilateral defence and arms industry cooperation was facilitated by Malaysia's introduction of Korean fighter jets (FA-50) last year.

Malaysia signed a contract for 18 FA-50 jets worth approximately US$920 million in May 2023.

They also exchanged opinions on bilateral cooperation in renewable energy fields such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and green hydrogen, it said.

On the situation in the Middle East, Kim expressed grave concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including the recent Israeli military operations near Rafah.

He also stated that the Korean government believes it is important for all parties to immediately accept and implement the Ceasefire Proposal suggested by the United States on May 31, which Korea already welcomed, said the statement.

Additionally, he mentioned that the Korean government has offered humanitarian aid of US$10 million to help affected civilians and would consider providing additional aid.

Also, he mentioned that Korea has also supported a UN resolution that would pave the way for a full membership for Palestine with hopes of a “two-state solution”.

On the ASEAN front, Kim expressed expectations for Malaysia's successful chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 and requested Malaysia's cooperation to successfully implement the 'Korea-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,' expected to be established this year.

Furthermore, both Kim and Amran agreed to work closely together to ensure the successful hosting of the APEC Summit in 2025 by Korea, said the embassy.

During the visit, Kim paid a courtesy call to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and met with National Security Council director-general Datuk Raja Nushirwan bin Zainal Abidin to exchange views on bilateral relations, and regional and international cooperation, among others.

-- BERNAMA