CONTRIBUTION Malaysia, Korea: connected by trust, growing with purpose
Malaysian Ambassador to Korea Mohd Zamruni Khalid / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Malaysia celebrated its 68th National Day on Aug. 31, 2025. Independence is not just about the past; it is also about the partnerships we build for the future. Among these, one of the most dynamic and forward-looking is Malaysia’s relationship with the Republic of Korea (ROK). What started as a diplomatic handshake in 1960 has grown into something truly strategic and full of promise, marked by shared values, economic synergy, technological collaboration, and an ever-deepening bond between our peoples.
Today, Malaysia-ROK relations stand at a pivotal juncture, offering tangible mutual benefits not only for governments and businesses but also for students, tourists, and everyday citizens. Whether you are a Korean tech executive looking to expand into ASEAN, a Malaysian student drawn to Seoul’s academic scene, or a traveler seeking new experiences, this partnership is creating spaces for shared growth and success. From fighter jets to K-beauty halal certification, tech transfer to tourism, the Malaysia-ROK story has all the elements of modern diplomacy with a twist of strategy, sustainability, and shared ambition.
The elevation of Malaysia-ROK relations to a strategic partnership in November 2024 reflects a mutual recognition that the two nations are stronger together. This move has unlocked deeper collaboration across diverse sectors, from defense and cybersecurity to green technology, the digital economy, and high-value trade.
Both countries also share a commitment to regional peace and multilateralism. As ASEAN chair in 2025, Malaysia is working closely with the ROK to promote maritime stability, nontraditional security cooperation, and a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. Malaysia’s neutral, principle-based diplomacy aligns naturally with the ROK’s Indo-Pacific strategy, strengthening the collective voice on regional and global issues.
Trade and investment: two-way bridge of prosperity
Trade is at the heart of the relationship and is growing rapidly. Trade volume between Malaysia and the ROK hit $25 billion in 2024, an impressive leap from a decade ago. Bilateral trade has surpassed $20 billion for the past four years. Malaysia is now one of the ROK’s top 12 trade partners, offering a reliable supply of semiconductors, LNG, machinery, and more. In return, the ROK exports high-tech goods from EV components to advanced machinery, vital for Malaysia’s industrial growth.
Korean investments are playing an increasingly transformative role in Malaysia. Over 390 Korean manufacturing projects worth $11 billion have been approved, creating more than 48,000 skilled jobs. Major Korean players such as Samsung SDI, Hyundai, SK Nexilis, Lotte Chemical, and OCI are investing in high-impact sectors like EV manufacturing, green energy, semiconductors, and biopharmaceuticals.
The choice for doing business in Malaysia is simple: ASEAN access, a future-ready workforce, and a government that understands the value of good partnerships. Malaysia is also at the heart of mega trade deals like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making it a launchpad for Korean innovation in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Korean companies can benefit from market diversification, regional access, and a trusted ASEAN partner, especially as Malaysia assumes the role of ASEAN chair throughout 2025. Ongoing efforts to conclude the Malaysia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (MKFTA) by year’s end signal a deeper commitment to liberalization, innovation cooperation, and future-ready growth. As the ROK seeks to diversify its global value chains amid geopolitical tensions, Malaysia stands out as a trusted, neutral, and innovation-friendly partner. In short, Korean companies could bet big on Malaysia not just for tax incentives but also for its people, regulatory stability, and strategic connectivity to ASEAN, the world’s fastest-growing economic bloc.
Building on the momentum, both governments are working to finalize the Malaysia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (MKFTA) by the end of 2025, a fitting testimony to the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two friendly countries.
The MKFTA aims to go beyond traditional trade liberalization. It will facilitate targeted cooperation in semiconductors, AI, robotics, halal products, smart agriculture, and the bioeconomy, where Malaysia’s resources and the ROK’s technology can create unmatched synergies. For Korean investors, the FTA will also streamline investment procedures, open new public procurement avenues, and enhance business mobility, making it easier for Korean firms to expand in Malaysia and vice versa.
People power: real diplomacy happens between people
While political and economic ties bring countries closer, it is people-to-people relations that make those ties sustainable and meaningful. If policies are the backbone of the relationship, then people-to-people connections are its beating heart.
In 2024, more than 553,000 Korean travelers visited Malaysia, contributing nearly $650 million to the economy. For many, it was “love at first bite,” whether enjoying spicy nasi lemak or cooling down with cendol under the tropical sun. Malaysia’s beaches, rainforests, street food, and multicultural harmony continue to capture Korean hearts.
Looking ahead, Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) is set to draw even more Korean visitors with bold new tourism experiences blending nature, culture, and wellness with curated travel and agrotourism programs, such as the popular durian diplomacy program. More Malaysians are also exploring the ROK, drawn by K-pop, historical cities, and adventures, creating mutual curiosity and admiration that enrich understanding on both sides.
Malaysia is working closely with the ROK to co-promote tourism following the signing of a bilateral tourism memorandum of understanding in January 2025. The goal is to provide seamless two-way travel experiences where tourists become lifelong friends and cultural ambassadors.
Mohd Zamruni Khalid is the Malaysian ambassador to Korea.