Hey 👋🏻 all, SiennyLovesDrawing is excited happy 👩🏻😃😁 to share a #throwback about her delegate attendance in December 2025 to the For Peace & Prosperity: Celebrating Collaborations ~ A Malaysia 🇲🇾 Scholars on Korea 🇰🇷 Programme

Malaysia 🇲🇾 & South Korea 🇰🇷 helmed significant regional institutions in 2025

Chairing ASEAN, Malaysia’s 🇲🇾 stewardship saw the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a document 📃 that aims to strengthen ⬆️ the bloc’s industrial competitiveness by boosting infrastructure development, connectivity, talent & innovation

Yet, goals 🎯 would be impacted by mega trends from the maintenance of peace, security & stability in the Indo-Pacific region 🌏, including the South China Sea ⛵🌊, major power rivalries and digitalisation with its disruptions to the future of work

Meanwhile, South Korea 🇰🇷 chaired APEC, a regional economic forum focused on sustainable economic growth 📈, open trade & prosperity in a year of tariffs & trade wars. Led by the newly minted 14th president, Lee Jae-Myung 👨🏻‍💼, South Korea’s APEC leadership is complicated by US-South Korea 🇺🇸🇰🇷, South Korea-Japan 🇰🇷🇯🇵 & US-China dynamics 🇺🇸🇨🇳 The APEC Summit demonstrated the thawing of relations between Seoul & Beijing, interest for further Al governance & attempts to stabilise trade conditions.While chairing vital regional organisations has opened opportunities for dialogue,geopolitics & geo economics have shaped potential outcomes

This half-day programme seeks to discuss Malaysia-ROK 🇲🇾🇰🇷 relations in a region affected by dynamic Trade policies, quid pro quo deals, hedging pressures & limited pragmatic choices

It also seeks to explore Malaysia & South Korea’s 🇲🇾🇰🇷 attempts to balance geostrategic challenges with stronger alliances 💪🏻🙌🏻💯

The Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network

The Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network links ↔️ Malaysian scholars, policymakers & think-tankers in conversations on Malaysia-South Korea relations 🇲🇾🇰🇷

Through the years, MASK events have explored the intricacies of a Malaysia-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 🇰🇷🇲🇾🤝🏻 , a special meeting following president Moon Jae-in’s visit to Malaysia 👨🏻‍💼🇲🇾 , possibilities for ASEAN engagement in the Korean Peninsula & South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in Southeast Asia 🌏

Yes ✅, MASK exploring how Malaysia-ROK 🇲🇾🇰🇷 relations navigate these shifting currents ~ balancing geostrategic challenges with stronger alliances

This event kick-started with a welcoming remarks by HE Yeo Seung-bae 👨🏻‍💼, the Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia. HE Yeo was appointed as ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Malaysia in Oct 2022. Prior to the appointment, he served as deputy minister for political affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which he joined in 1990. He has had held postings in China 🇨🇳, Norway 🇳🇴, Afghanistan 🇦🇫 & New Zealand 🇳🇿 He is a former foreign policy adviser to the prime minister. He told all delegates in his remarks that this will be his last attendance to this programme as the Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia

In his opening remarks, HE Yeo Seung-bae 👨🏻‍💼 has highlighted recent developments in Korea–Malaysia 🇰🇷🇲🇾 relations, including the outcomes of the Korea–Malaysia Summit held on the occasion of the ASEAN-related meetings

He also touched on Malaysia’s key achievements during its ASEAN Chairmanship this year 💯👍🏻

Do check out this YouTube recording of welcoming remarks by HE Yeo Seung-bae 👨🏻‍💼, the Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia via 📹🌐 https://youtu.be/KbKTfr7Sn1Y

Then, an opening remarks by Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah 👨🏽‍💼, the Chairman with  Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. Prof Faiz leads the institute’s policy development & Track 2️⃣ diplomacy, including through the ASEAN Institutes of Strategic & International Studies & Pacific Economic Cooperation Council. He is also the Malaysian representative to the ASEAN Regional Forum Experts & Eminent Persons meeting, co-chair of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific & a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Good Governance

Malaysia 🇲🇾 & South Korea 🇰🇷 helmed significant regional institutions in 2025

Malaysia 🇲🇾, as ASEAN chair, steered the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a roadmap to strengthen industrial competitiveness through infrastructure development, connectivity, talent & innovation

Meanwhile, South Korea 🇰🇷, led by the newly minted 14th president, Lee Jae-Myung, chaired APEC during a challenging period of tariffs & trade tensions

Do check out this YouTube recording of opening remarks by Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah 👨🏽‍💼, the Chairman with  Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia 📹🌐 https://youtu.be/y6NO2ZBQC4s

Session 1️⃣: Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship: empowering people, connecting ASEAN & South Korea

The 47h ASEAN Summit & related summits concluded in early Nov 2025. With Kuala Lumpur becoming the focus of dignitaries & significant world leaders, the outcome ranged from welcoming Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN to an upgrade in the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, advancement in infrastructure cooperation, such as power grids, the establishment of the AI Safe Network & specificities in community strategic plans to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2045

The ASEAN-ROK statement has outlined potential harmonisation & capacity building in areas like crime scene investigation, digital trade, high performance computing & energy transition

• How did South Korea view Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship year❓❓
• What are the public diplomacy & media engagement trends of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship❓⁉️
• What is the outlook for the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 🤝🏻 & what are the challenges to realising programmes❓⁉️
• What are expectations for ASEAN in 2026❓⁉️

Moderator:

Dr Nurliana Kamaruddin 🧕🏽, Senior Lecturer with Department of East Asian Studies Department, Universiti Malaya. She is attached to the Department of East Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts & Social Science, also fellow at the Centre lor ASEAN Regionalism AEI. Her recent publications include Southward Bound:Examining the Regional Policies of Taiwan & South Korea & The 🆕 Normal & Its Impact on Society Perspectives from ASEAN & the European Union. She was a recipient of the Korea Foundation ASEAN fellowship & POSCO TI Park Foundation Asia fellowship. Her research interests include international security & development with a focus on East Asia & specifically, Malaysia-Korea relations 🇲🇾🇰🇷

Speakers:

• Thomas Daniel 👨🏾‍💼, Director of Foreign Policy & Security Studies with Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. He has more than a decade’s experience in foreign policy & security analysis. His work focuses on how major-power dynamics impact on the strategic-security considerations of Southeast Asia 🌏 Within this scope, he mainly looks at the South China Sea dispute, political-security cohesion within ASEAN & Malaysia’s security and foreign policies. He also focuses on policies towards refugees & asylum seekers in Malaysia & ASEAN’s response to the Myanmar crisis 🇲🇲
• Dr Lee Jaehyon 👨🏻‍💼, Principal Fellow with Asan Institute for Policy Studies South Korea. He is a member of the advisory group for the Korean Coast Guard and previously served in an advisory capacity for the Presidential Committee for New Southern Policy & Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His research focuses on ASEAN, Southeast Asian politics & regionalism. His publications include ‘South Korea & the South China Sea: A Domestic & International Balancing Act’, ‘What Asia Wants from the US: Voices from the Region’ & ‘Southeast Asian Perspectives of the United States & China 🇺🇸🇨🇳 : A SWOT Analysis’
• Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya 🧕🏽, News Anchor with Astro AWANI. She presents AWANI International, Astro’s flagship English news 📰 🗞️ segment analysing global power shifts & geopolitical rivalries shaping the international order. She also hosts the weekly talk show It’s About Youth, leading discussions with diverse guests on issues central to young Malaysians. Her expertise extends across the organisation, contributing to major programmes, including AWANI Global, Agenda AWANI & Dialog ASEAN25

Session 2️⃣: From KL to Seoul: Cooperation & Regional Uncertainty

Malaysia 🇲🇾 & South Korea 🇰🇷 both confronted international uncertainties in 2025

From trade & geopolitical challenges to major power rivalry, 🆕 administrations & US policies have impacted on economic security & repositioned security partnerships

Meanwhile, middle powers have formed partnerships & alliances to bolster strategic autonomy, stabilise a rules-based environment & navigate geopolitical shocks

• How have 🆕 administrations in Japan and the US impacted on South Korea & Malaysia 🇰🇷🇲🇾 ❓⁉️
• Did recent events in ASEAN & APEC influence regional politics and dynamics❓⁉️
• As Malaysia & South Korea 🇲🇾🇰🇷 conclude negotiations for a 🆓 trade agreement, could regional or bilateral trade agreements strengthen their capabilities to navigate regional flux❓⁉️
• Could Malaysia _ South Korea build stronger relations through existing policies, such as South Korea’s Indo-Pacifc Strategy,Korea ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, ASEAN-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Look East Policy 2.0 & defence partnerships❓⁉️
• Does 2026 present a stable outlook compared with 2025❓⁉️

Moderator:

Assoc Prof Dr Roy Anthony Rogers Peter Rogers 👨🏻‍💼, Head with Department of International & Strategic Studies &, Universiti Malaya. He has taught at the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College & the Malaysian Defence Armed Forces College. His area of specialisation includes political science, international relations & history (China 🇨🇳 & Central Asia 🌏). His research interests are government & politics of the Central Asian republics in Xinjiang

Speakers:

• Marweena Manan 🧕🏽, Senior Director, Strategic Negotiations Division, Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry. She oversees strategic trade negotiations & the advancement of Malaysia’s 🇲🇾 bilateral & regional economic frameworks at MITI. She is the former director of the Digital Economy Division, where she spearheaded the digitalisation of trade and investment policies. Her experience includes roles as director of the Investment Policy Section; economic counsellor in Brussels & as a pioneer secretariat member of the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (PEMUDAH)
• Dr Jung Hojai 👨🏻‍💼, Secretary-General Asia Vision Forum South Korea. He is a scholar of Southeast Asian media, cultural diplomacy & the expanding global influence of K-culture. He is currently serving as secretary-general of Asia Vision Forum (AVF), South Korea’s frst private think-tank focused on ASEAN and wider Asian regional cooperation. AVF advances dialogue, cultural exchange & strategic understanding between Korea & its Asian counterparts. He is also a research fellow at the Institute for Hallyu Studies at Dongguk University where he leads research on K-content strategy, soft power & digital fandom
• Dr Geetha Govindasamy 👩🏾‍💼, Senior Lecturer with Department of East Asian Studies. She is an expert on East Asian international relations. She mostly researches & publishes on inter-Korean issues & East Asian international relations. Her publications can be found in local & international journals. She is a recipient of various research grants from the Korea Foundation, Sumitomo Foundation & local funding. She is also a non-resident fellow at the Centre for Human Security & International Affairs, India 🇮🇳

Absolutely an insightful sessions & thoughtful discussions to gain valuable discussion points & updates across 💯👍🏻

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