Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is set to elevate its defence ties with South Korea into a strategic and practical industry partnership, reflecting both nations' shared commitment to peace, security, and technological advancement, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He announced that the Malaysia-South Korea partnership, which has steadily grown in strength and significance, has reached a milestone following the decision by both countries to deepen defence and security cooperation, including closer collaboration in the industry and tackling non-traditional threats such as cybercrime.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Khaled stated that Malaysia is prepared to learn from South Korea's expertise, embrace technology transfer, and pursue co-development and co-production. He delivered these remarks in his keynote address at the Malaysia-Korea Third Defence Industry Cooperation Seminar. Attendees included the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Malaysia, Yeo Sung-Bae, and Vice Chairman of the Republic of Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kwon Dae Won.
Mohamed Khaled emphasized that Malaysia regards South Korea as a trusted friend and capable partner, highlighting Seoul's world-class defence industry capabilities in aerospace, surveillance, cyber defence, and advanced manufacturing. He asserted that the partnership needs to evolve from mere dialogue to constructive progress, with Korea's guidance pivotal to transforming Malaysia's defence aspirations into achievements.
He noted the timeliness of this partnership in light of the rapidly evolving global security landscape, where threats have expanded beyond conventional domains into cyberspace, outer space, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Mohamed Khaled expressed confidence that successful collaboration would enhance national security and contribute to regional peace and stability.
Furthermore, Mohamed Khaled revealed that Malaysia is fast-tracking a government-to-government procurement agreement with South Korea, which is expected to be presented for Cabinet approval by October. Once approved, South Korea will become the second country, after Turkiye, to formalise such an exclusive arrangement with Malaysia. He highlighted that the collaboration on defence procurement is not just about purchasing but also involves sharing, transferring, and building Malaysia's defence capabilities.
The seminar was attended by about 150 participants, including officials, academics, and defence industry representatives from both countries. It featured presentations on artificial intelligence policies and discussions on the application of AI in defence, exploring potential areas for further collaboration. More than 20 Malaysian defence companies, along with representatives from major South Korean defence firms, participated, fostering meaningful exchanges between government and private sector stakeholders from both nations.