(Yonhap Interview) Malaysia seeks increased economic, technology exchanges with Korea

By Eun-jung Kim
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, June 1 (Yonhap) -- Malaysia wants to see more
investment and cultural exchanges between South Korea and Southeast Asian
nations, as well as broader people-to-people contact, its Prime Minister Najib
Abdul Razak said Monday.
In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, the Malaysian leader said that in terms
of bilateral ties, Malaysia hopes for move investment from South Korea and
cooperation in new areas.
On a visit here to attend the South Korea-ASEAN special summit, the prime
minister described the two-day gathering as "very important."
"It signifies the growing relationship between South Korea and ASEAN," Najib
said. "This meeting will expand overall investment and cultural activities to
develop a single market for free trade."
The prime minister and the leaders of nine other ASEAN countries -- Brunei,
Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and
Vietnam -- are scheduled to attend the special summit that commemorates the 20th
anniversary of the establishment of dialogue partnership between Korea and ASEAN.
South Korea-Malaysia bilateral trade totaled US$14.7 billion last year, the third
largest for South Korea among ASEAN nations. The two countries will mark their
50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
Malaysia is looking for ways to collaborate in such fields as information and
communications technology, Najib said. "I think South Korea has a very strong
technology industry and we'd like to develop more in such new areas."
He expressed special interest in South Korea's animation technology. "We are very
keen to find out how we can collaborate in developing such new areas," he said.
The prime minister also recommended that more student exchange programs be
created to facilitate Malaysian students' learning of advanced skills.
Najib expressed concern over North Korea's recent nuclear test and rising
tensions on the Korean Peninsula. "We are against nuclear proliferation and are
concerned about the issue," the prime minister said.
Pyongyang last week defied international appeals to desist from continued
provocations by conducting its second nuclear test and firing a series of
short-range missiles. Intelligence reports suggest the communist state is
preparing for a long-range missile test, following a rocket launch in April that
drew U.N. condemnation.
"We believe the Korean Peninsula should be free from nuclear weapons," the
Malaysian prime minister said. "The only viable option is to push forward to
resume the six-party talks with North Korea," he said, referring to multilateral
aid-for-denuclearization talks that involve the region's key players.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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