BUSAN: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has great expectations for this week’s special summit between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), saying that the two parties can further develop win-win partnerships.
“We welcome (South) Korea’s looking south policy,” he said in an exclusive interview with Yonhap News Agency and Yonhap News TV during his trip here for the Asean-South Korea Commemorative Summit.
Dr Mahathir was referring to the Moon Jae-in administration’s New Southern Policy intended to strengthen Seoul’s strategic ties with Asean.
The Prime Minister pointed out that South Korea has made tremendous progress over the years, especially in terms of technology.
“So, it is important that Asean develops good relations with (South) Korea because we can benefit from (their) experience, (their) ways of doing things; and also investments from Korea,” he said.
Dr Mahathir stressed that Malaysia is “very suitable for interacting with Korea,” given Malaysia’s English-speaking workforce and stable politics.
Reflecting on Malaysia’s diplomatic pragmatism, the Prime Minister also said his administration is reaching out to North Korea as well.
It was reported that Malaysia is preparing to reopen its embassy in Pyongyang, partially closed since the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s estranged half-brother at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Feb 2017.
“We want to be friendly with all countries in the world ... Even North Korea can provide some trade for us. We don’t like confrontation,” he said.
He described talk of the North Korean government being behind the assassination as “suspicion” and said the incident has not affected Malaysia’s security.
“So, now, it is time to resume normal relations between Malaysia and North Korea,” he said in the interview held at his Busan hotel room.
Asked about the exact timing of the embassy’s reopening, Mahathir said: “We are meeting them, we are talking to them.”
It was reported that North Korean officials plan to visit Malaysia.
“We will talk to them as to the appropriate time for us to re-open the embassy,” Dr Mahathir added.
He said, though, that his government will be “more careful” to ensure that internal affairs of other nations do not spill over into Malaysia.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed support for Moon’s regional peace initiative.
“I appreciate President Moon’s idea. He is making some progress,” he added.
But the international community should cease calling on North Korea to “do everything” before relieving sanctions.
Dr Mahathir arrived in this southern port city on Sunday. He promptly visited Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a major aerospace and defence company. He’s also planning to tour Hyundai Rotem, which also produces defence goods.
Asked about his schedule, he said Malaysia is looking for suitable partners for the supply of required weapons for its own defence and security.
He spoke about prudence as regards South Korea’s push for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia.
“FTAs are always good, but we have to understand the weakness and the strengths of the countries involved,” he said, adding that Malaysia’s industrial strength is still in the stage of infancy.
He likened it to a golfer’s “handicap.” In order to contest with Tiger Woods, an amateurish golfer might need to adjust his handicap to allow for a fair match, Dr Mahathir said.
On South Korea-Japan disputes over history, the Prime Minister suggested forward-looking efforts to resolve confrontations on the basis of what can contribute to their growth and development.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to head to Seoul right after attending the Busan summit. He will have one-on-one summit talks with Moon at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday. – Bernama