ABSTRACT
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1960, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have increasingly become significant partners. South Korea has played a part in Malaysia’s steady economic growth. Malaysia’s active engagement with the ASEAN countries also enhances its strategic significance for the ROK. The development of East Asian regionalism has improved relations between Malaysia and the ROK. The initiatives of the Moon Jae-in administration’s New Southern Policy (NSP) have also enhanced the ROK’s bilateral ties with the ASEAN member states, including Malaysia. To scrutinize the development of Malaysia-ROK bilateral relations, this chapter focuses on the dynamics of internal and external factors faced by each country. It does so through a measured consideration of the local contextual factors in each country and their influence on their respective foreign policies. It looks at Malaysia’s Look East Policy (LEP) and the ROK’s NSP, which were initiated as strategies in response to the changing regional and global orders. While the NSP sought to promote South Korea’s vision and values, the policy needs to avoid strict adherence to reciprocity and quantitative goals to truly promote a sense of community based on co-prosperity. It is recommended that the NSP and NSP Plus adopt the principles of human security and social economy in the aftermath of COVID-19 so as to contribute to the enhancement of Seoul’s connectivity with Malaysia, and Malaysia’s LEP should aim to foster closer cooperation with South Korea that goes beyond economic concerns.
