Diplomats and academics at a seminar on Thursday called for tapping the potential in Pak-South Korean cooperation on energy, infrastructure and trade in goods and services.
The seminar titled ‘The Journey to Peace and Co-Prosperity; The UN, Pakistan and Republic of Korea’ was organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with Embassy of the Republic of Korea on Thursday.
In his welcome address, ISSI Chairman Khalid Mahmood congratulated the people of Korea on the country’s National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day. He was of the view that diplomatic ties between the two countries are of recent origin but linkages between Pakistan and Korea are deep-rooted.
He hoped that conclusion of the proposed Free Trade Agreement and opening of a branch of a Korean bank in Pakistan will boost bilateral ties.
South Korean Ambassador Dr Song Jong-hwan placed special emphasis on the core philosophies of peace, harmony, unity and cooperation.
He hoped for a roadmap for future unification of the Korean Peninsula, which would make unified Korea a big player on the world stage, giving it the opportunity to contribute to world peace and prosperity.
A message from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was conveyed on his behalf by Timmo Pakkala, the UN resident co-ordinator in Pakistan.
A total of three sessions were held at the seminar. In the second session, Dr Muhammad Ather Elahi from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, stated that bilateral co-operation in energy, infrastructure and trade in goods and services are very important. However, there is also a need for medium and long-term cooperation in joint infrastructure development programmes, he said. Pakistan imports automobiles and electronics from the Republic of Korea and has also significantly benefitted from Korean cooperation in building the motorway, he informed further.
Dr Rai Niaz Ahmed, vice chancellor of the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, expounded on the avenues for Pakistan and Korean economic relations, focusing on the agricultural potential of both countries. “Pakistan needs to focus on development of all sectors including agriculture, which is said to be the backbone of our economy,” he said.
Former foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmed Khan said Korea and Pakistan share a similar birth process, having emerged from the ravages of war and partition.
He criticised the myth that Korea had succeeded using Pakistan’s model of development, and stated that Korea’s exemplary performance in the world economy was based solely on its will to be self-reliant, despite having no resources of its own. “By manufacturing targeting export markets and the establishment of nuclear power plants, Korea is now one of the top twenty economies of the world,” he said.
Talking about Pakistan, the former ambassador said VIP culture had dented the country’s development.
In another session, Pakkala and Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed informed the gathering regarding UN activities in Pakistan.
Dr Chung Min Lee, who spoke at the third session, said a united Korea is considered vital for peace and security of the South-East Asian region, and will make for the emergence of a strong Korea. “However, the influence of major powers in this region is likely to complicate the reunification process,” he said.
Former ambassador Javid Husain argued that a flexible policy with principles to guide both countries towards peaceful unification vis-à-vis other countries involved in the peace and security complex in Asia is a workable solution. “Both states should move forward with an aim to build trust between Seoul and Pyongyang,” he suggested.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2014.
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The two governments must promote interaction and cooperation between their private sectors and regular interaction between their respective boards of investment, and chambers of commerce and industry. Pakistan had already proposed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to S. Korea that covers trade, investment and services so that trade between the two countries could be further enhanced.
This is a progressive move on the part of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Korea. There are many common grounds which can best serve as working grounds for mutual benefits. Both the countries aspires many progressive goals for their respective nationals. Energy need is an unavoidable reality of contemporary age which stimulates a kind of interdependency amongst states. This cooperation would be influential in many exchange programs of both nationals for multifaceted channels.
Pakistan being a blessed country due to its strategic location and lots of blessing keeping inside it has somehow made the country attractive for other countries. The recent Korea and Pakistan relations gives another glimpse regarding the positive and developing stature of the country. In his globalized world Pakistan must extend its hands towards other countries in order to make itself renounced among the international community. Korea and Pakistan have shared good relations in past with each other and from the above article it can be predicted that relations between both nations can bring many opportunities and open up new horizons for the people of both countries.
Relations between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea have broadened in various fields over the years. It is essential for both governments to strengthen and expand relations with the each other in all fields. It’s about understanding how dynamics can change. There are ample of investment opportunities for Korean businesses in Pakistan especially in the energy sectors of hydel, wind, solar, biomass and coal power generation.