Park delivering his speech at Universiti Malaya on May 2. – LIRHOSHINI VEERA VIJAYAN/Global Network Club UM
KUALA LUMPUR: A South Korean consulate office will officially be opened in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah this year, says the republic’s Foreign Minister Dr Park Jin.
He said the decision was made in view of the city’s popularity among South Korean nationals, especially for its nature-based attractions.
“Pristine beaches, lush rainforests and towering mountains. Malaysia has it all! I like mountain climbing and several years ago, I had a chance to visit Kota Kinabalu and climbed Mount Kinabalu.
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“Many South Koreans would like to visit Kota Kinabalu for tourism and (mountain) climbing.
“I am glad to tell you that a consulate office will be officially opened in Kota Kinabalu this year,” he said during a special lecture at Universiti Malaya here on Tuesday (May 2).
In March, Sabah’s Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai revealed that a total of 21,541 visitors from South Korea came to Sabah in January alone.
He said the number was almost 40% of the 55,152 South Korean tourists who visited the state for the whole of last year.
Park, in Malaysia for a two-day inaugural state visit from Monday (May 1), also said South Korea is ready to upgrade its bilateral relations to a strategic partnership encompassing deeper communication and cooperation.
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“Closer cooperation in the defence and high-technology industry is laying the (groundwork) for the new strategic partnership.
“The recent defence cooperation deal of FA-50 light combat aircraft between a Korean company and the Royal Malaysian Air Force is only a start.
“I hope that our cooperation will continue to expand and pursue other promising infrastructure projects together, like the MRT projects and the Malaysia-Singapore Highway construction project,” he said.
The cooperation between Malaysia and South Korea on infrastructure projects goes back to the construction of the first Penang Bridge and Tower One of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
The company is also currently involved in the construction of the world’s second tallest building in Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka 118.
The special lecture entitled “Korea and Malaysia: Partners for the Future” organised by UM’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in collaboration with the South Korean Embassy in Malaysia was also attended by university students.
Also present at the lecture were UM pro-chancellor Toh Puan Datuk Seri Dr Aishah Ong, faculty dean Prof Datuk Dr Danny Wong and faculty members of the university.
Park’s visit coincided with the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Look East Policy between Malaysia and South Korea.
