Md. Ali Siddiquee
Introduction
The political relations between Bangladesh and Republic of Korea (RoK) are based on mutual respect and trust, democratic principles, commonalities in history, common values and ideals for peace and security, common goals for prosperity, and have always been multifaceted. In the last five decades, Bangladesh and RoK relations have gone through significant transformations. This has been reverberated by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who expressed the necessity to take the current relations to a new height.51 At present both nations share strong economic and cultural ties.
RoK has been helping Bangladesh in its socio-economic development initiatives. However, deepened and broadened political and strategic cooperation between these two friendly nations is currently missing. Needless to mention that the economic drivers form the core of the relations between these, nevertheless it is high time where both these nations pushed their respective sides to elevate the existing relations from mere economic and cultural domain to transcend a political and strategic partnership one where the prime focus should be on politico-strategic, security, defense and military aspects. This section analyzes the political, diplomatic, and strategic relations, areas of politico-strategic cooperation, current challenges, and ends with some recommendations in the following subsections.
Political Relations
Early political connections between Bangladesh and RoK
The political relations between these two go back in the pre-independence era of Bangladesh. The RoK and Bangladesh became independent respectively in 1945 and 1971. They did not have any antagonistic view towards each other since their birth as independent nations despite the dynamics of cold war politics. It is reverberated in the word of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu who noted that
“… our relations with our neighbours are very good, namely, with Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ceylon and North and South Korea”.52 When Bangladesh was under colonial rule of the then Pakistan from 1947 to 1971, there were political connections between Pakistan and South Korea. Pakistan backed up the emergence of RoK as an independent nation when it was officially recognized by the UN General Assembly under Resolution 195.53 This political support continued up until 1960s, however political relations took a U-turn in the 1970s and Pakistani elites aligned themselves with China and North Korea due to 1965 Indo-Pak war and Bhutto’s likings for communism.54 It was not until 1983 that there were any diplomatic relations between Pakistan and
51 The Dhaka Tribune. “PM Hasina Wants to Take Partnership with South Korea to New Height.” The Dhaka Tribune, May 18, 2021. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/2021/05/18/pm-wants-to-take-partnership-with-south-korea-to-new-height.
52 Trivedi, Rabindranath, ed. International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
Documents, Messages and Speeches (1974-75, Vol-II). New Delhi: Parama, 1999.
53 Byungmin, AN. “History of Korea-Pakistan Relations,” 2019.
https://www.academia.edu/38372560/history_of_korea_pakistan_relations.pdf.
54 Ibid.
32
South Korea, however when Bangladesh got independence in December 1971, South Korea was prompt to recognize Bangladesh on 12 May 1972.55 Official diplomatic relations between these two nations established on 18 December 1973.56
However, RoK opened its Consulate General in the then East Pakistan in 1968 and official diplomatic missions in Bangladesh was inaugurated in 1 March 1975.57 On the other hand, Bangladesh inaugurated its mission in RoK in February 1987.58 The first Ambassador to Bangladesh was Ambassador Park Chan-hyun, who was residing in India then, presented his credential to the Bangladesh Government on 10 June 1974.59 After the establishment of formal diplomatic missions, Ambassador Kim Soon-kyo took the office as first resident Ambassador in Bangladesh on 25 March 1975.60 The first ever Ambassador from Bangladesh was Ambassador A. M. Chowdhury, resident in Tokyo, presented his credential to RoK government on 29 April 1975. At present, Ambassador Md Delwar Hossain has been serving as Ambassador of Bangladesh to RoK. Ambassador Lee Jang-keun has been serving as the eighteenth Ambassador to Bangladesh since 5 July 2020.61
A special delegation led by RoK Agriculture Minister Soyong Chung met with President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 14 August 1975 and expressed his fascinations to see Bangladesh get back on her feet very quickly after the war of liberation under Bangabandhu’s leadership.62 He also met Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Prime Minister Mansur Ali, Agriculture Ministry Abdus Samad separately on the day before. Bangabandhu, while meeting Soyong Chung, greeted his counterpart President Park Chung-hee on the occasion of National Day of Republic Korea and noted that, “On behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and on my behalf, I convey my warm felicitations and greetings on the auspicious occasion of the National Day of Republic of Korea. I would like to take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for Your Excellency’s health and happiness and for the wellbeing of the people of the Republic of Korea”.63 It is evident from the very beginning these two nations have warm political relations based on peace, mutual understanding and cooperation.
High level bilateral exchanges in the last five decades
During the last five decades a number of high-level bilateral visits were made from both sides.
Bangladesh’s former President Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad visited RoK and met President Chun Doo Hwan in 1985. On many issues discussed, they “agreed to expand joint economic
55 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh. “Bangladesh Bilateral Relations1. Overview 상세보기.”
Bilateral Relations, May 31, 2009. https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/bd-en/brd/m_2128/view.do?seq=610908&page=9.
56 Ibid.
57 Rashid, Harun ur. “Bangladesh-South Korea Friendship.” The Daily Star, May 9, 2012.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-233287.
58 Ibid; Byungmin, op. cit.
59 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, “Bangladesh Bilateral Relations1. Overview 상세보기.”
60 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, op. cit.
61 The United News of Bangladesh. “S Korean Ambassador-Designate Lee in City.” United News of Bangladesh, July 5, 2020. https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/s-korean-ambassador-designate-lee-in-city/54156.
62 The Daily Observer. “Korean Envoy Lauds Leadership of Bangobonhdu.” August 14, 1975.
63 The Daily Observer. “Bangobandhu Greets Park Chung Hee.” August 14, 1975.
33
development projects”.64 The visit facilitated the participation of RoK and its businessmen to be involved in joint economic and development ventures to promote Bangladesh’s development. The visit also resulted in forming bilateral economic cooperation committees comprising business leaders of both countries. To commemorate the memory of the visit by Lt. Gen. H. M. Ershad RoK’s Ministry of Communications issued the following “postage stamp as a sign of the hearty welcome”.65
Photo: Stamp unveiled by RoK’s Ministry of Communications to commemorate Lt. Gen. H. M.
Ershad’s visit. Source: Ministry of Communication, RoK.
After President Ershad’s visit, roughly after ten years, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia visited and met RoK President Kim Young-sam. They have discussed “ways of strengthening bilateral ties”.66 Practical cooperation related to South Korean investments in industrial areas of Bangladesh, railroad
64 The United Press International. “Foreign News Briefs.” UPI Archives, June 17, 1985.
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/06/17/Foreign-News-Briefs/2964487828800/.
65 Ministry of Communication, Republic of Korea. “Postage Stamp Commemorative of the State Visit of H. E. Lt.
Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad, President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.” Stamp Gallery. Accessed February 17, 2022.
https://koreastamp.epost.go.kr/sp/eg/speg0302.jsp?tbsmh15seqnum=1453&tbsmh01seqnum=2977&page_num=164
&yearCode=&strKey=&strKeyword=.
66 The United Press International. “South Korea, Bangladesh Leaders Meet.” United Press International, May 26, 1995. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/05/26/South-Korea-Bangladesh-leaders-meet/3789801460800/.
34
construction with EDCF assistance at long term low interest rates, air travel etc. were on the agenda of this high-level meeting. They also discussed the possibility of establishing an export processing zone meant only for RoK investors.67
Roughly 15 years later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited South Korea and met President Lee Myung-Bak in May 2010. She remarked RoK as “a special friend” and praised the continued financial and technical supports to Bangladesh's poverty-alleviation, infrastructural, etc. programs.68 She also noted that, “…Your invaluable support since the establishment of diplomatic ties has raised our countries' relations to an enviable level…Our agreement to upgrade our relationship to the level of comprehensive partnership would assuredly deepen our friendship and cooperation…I foresee today a beautiful future in our two countries' relations and this makes me happy. Indeed, the years of our mutually beneficial efforts have come to fruition beckoning a future of prosperity and peace for our two countries and peoples”.69 The issues related to “investment and infrastructure development to shipbuilding and transfer of green technology to environment”, high-level visits, economic cooperation and trade, Asia Pacific Trade Agreement, human resource development initiatives, energy, communications, transportation, industry and infrastructure and a wide range of other bilateral, regional and international issues were on the agenda.70 It was expected that two countries would “sign three agreements on manpower, IT and energy” during this visit.71 However, they signed following agreement and MOUs72:
1. Framework arrangement concerning Loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund for the year 2010 to 2012.
2. MoU on Cooperation in the Energy Sector.
3. MoU on Cooperation for Environmental Protection.
4. Cultural Exchange Program for the years 2010 – 2014.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her appreciations to RoK’s intention to work “as a bridge between developed and developing countries at the next G-20 summit”.73 Bangladesh also sees RoK’s role as an active observer in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).74
67 Ibid.
68 The Daily Star. “South Korea a Special Friend of Bangladesh, Says Hasina.” The Daily Star, May 19, 2010.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-139151.
69 Ibid.
70 Rashid, Harun ur. “Hasina Looks East.” The Daily Star, May 12, 2010. https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-138020.; Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh. “Republic of Korea-Bangladesh Joint Press Release.”
Bilateral Relations, May 18, 2010.
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/bd-en/brd/m_2128/view.do?seq=643485&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&multi_itm_se q=0&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&company_cd=&company_nm=.
71 Rashid, op. cit.
72 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, op.cit. “Republic of Korea-Bangladesh Joint Press Release.”
73 Ibid.
74 Ibid.
35
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was welcomed by South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak;
Source: PID, Bangladesh.
On the other hand, RoK Prime Minister Lee Young-duk visited Bangladesh from 2 to 4 September 1994. Later, Prime Minister Kim Suk-soo visited Bangladesh from 8 to 10 November 2002. After 17 years, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon paid an official visit to Bangladesh from 13 to 15 July 2019. Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon was accompanied by a high level delegation, including a business delegation.
Trade, investment, migrant worker’s Employment Permit System, RoK’s “access to Chittagong Port terminals, diesel electric locomotives and liquefied natural gas”, Rohingya repatriation etc. issues were on the agenda.75 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart discussed issues on trade imbalance between the two countries, and she urged to consider “duty-free and quota-free market access for all Bangladeshi products” to RoK market.76 Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon praised Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in maintaining 6% annual growth for Bangladesh and reassured Bangladesh that his country looks closer cooperation to resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis.77 This visit resulted in signing three agreements between these nations.78 Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon also met President Abdul Hamid on 15 July 2019.79 This visit created a momentum in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and RoK.
We see that important regional, global political issues affecting peace, security and international order were discussed between these nations during this visit.
75 Yonhap News Agency. “South Korea, Bangladesh Discuss Expanding Business Ties,” July 15, 2019.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190715004300315.
76 The Daily Star. “Strengthening Bangladesh’s Ties with South Korea.” Editortial, July 16, 2019.
https://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/news/strengthening-bangladeshs-ties-south-korea-1771948.
77 The Daily Jugantar. “ঢাকা ছাড়লেন দক্ষিণ ককাক্ষিয়াি প্রধানমন্ত্রী,” July 16, 2019. https://www.jugantor.com/todays-paper/last-page/199666/ঢাকা-ছাড়লেন-দক্ষিণ-ককাক্ষিয়াি-প্রধানমন্ত্রী.
78 Ibid.
79 Ibid.
36
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon; Source: Yonhap News.
The recent visits and expectations from the high level diplomatic languages clearly revealed that the nations are exploring ways to establish their strategic relations. For instance, while making the first-ever visit to South Korea in 2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina noted that “…Our agreement to upgrade our relationship to the level of comprehensive partnership would assuredly deepen our friendship and cooperation”.80 On the other hand, when former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon visited Bangladesh in 2019, the South Korean Prime Minister's Office noted that he was “likely to discuss ways of cooperation in the areas of security” and other domains as well.81 During this visit Prime Minister Lee requested Bangladesh to expand the previous textiles and garments industries into infrastructure, energy and ICT, which are critical in the coming decades considering the strategic importance of these sectors for Bangladesh. It has been two decades since the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and now she thinks that we need to look beyond softer issues like economic, trade, culture etc. and elevate our ties to a new level. While congratulating newly elected Prime Minister Kim Boo-Kyum, Sheikh Hasina noted that Bangladesh wants to transform the current nature of partnership and wants to work with RoK closely “on regional and global issues”.82 Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed recently visited South Korea in 2021 to attend Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (ADEX)-2021, where he discussed the “possibilities to take the existing relations between the armed forces of the two countries further” with his counterpart from
80 The Daily Star, op. cit. “South Korea a Special Friend of Bangladesh, Says Hasina.”
81 The Daily Star. “Hasina-Lee Talks Tomorrow.” The Daily Star, July 13, 2019.
https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/red-carpet-rolled-out-korean-pm-arrives-1770889.
82 The Dhaka Tribune. “PM Hasina Wants to Take Partnership with South Korea to New Height.” The Dhaka Tribune, May 18, 2021. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/2021/05/18/pm-wants-to-take-partnership-with-south-korea-to-new-height.
37
RoK.83 The visit is said to “shed light on the enhancements necessary for the Bangladesh Army towards implementing its Forces' Goal 2030”.84
Diplomatic Relations
Constitutional commonalities for strong political convictions for global peace and security
Bangladesh and RoK have strong resonance in their national visions to maintain to maintain international peace and security. Their multifaceted and warm relations reflect some common values like conviction for peace, security, and common prosperity etc., which have played a central role in their bilateral relations. Both nations have remained committed to different international legal regimes and Charter of the United Nations. They have expressed and followed peaceful diplomatic mechanisms to resolve bilateral and international crisis involving their neighbors. Both nations do not have any sensitive issues and debated past that could affect their more robust diplomatic relations in future.
Bangladesh remained committed to an independent, non-aligned foreign policy with the objective of promoting global peace and friendship with all the countries where mutual respect for sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity etc. virtues are maintained. Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid down the foreign policy dictum of Bangladesh and lucidly mentioned in this regard, “We are a small country, we want friendship with all and malice towards none”.85 Both nations have also renounced wars as means of resolving bilateral disputes and international conflicts. Both the peace-loving nations share some degree of resonance in their constitutions to promote global peace and security.
The Article 25 of Bangladesh Constitution regarded, “The State shall base its international relations on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality, noninterference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and respect for international law and the principles enunciated in the United Nations Charter, and on the basis of those principles shall - (a) Strive for the renunciation of the use of force in international relations and for general and complete disarmament; (b) Uphold the right of every people freely to determine and build up its own social, economic and political system by ways and means of its own free choice; and (c) Support oppressed peoples throughout the world waging a just struggle against imperialism, colonialism or racialism”.86 On the other hand, the Preamble of the RoK Constitution also committed “to elevate the quality of life for all citizens and contribute to lasting world peace and the common prosperity of mankind and thereby to ensure security, liberty and happiness for ourselves and posterity forever”.87 Article 5 (1) further noted that “The Republic of Korea shall endeavor to maintain international peace and shall renounce all aggressive wars”.88 This clearly reflects that these nations have similar worldview when it comes to the promotion of global peace and security by relying on international laws and institutions.
This awareness has stemmed from the common historical past.
83 The Daily Star. “Army Chief Returns from South Korea Visit.” The Daily Star, October 23, 2021.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/army-chief-returns-south-korea-visit-2204631.
84 Ibid.
85 Banglapedia. “Eleven Points Programme.” Banglapedia. Accessed November 8, 2021.
https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Eleven_Points_Programme.
86 The Comparative Constitutions Project. “Bangladesh 1972 (Reinst. 1986, Rev. 2014) Constitution.” Constitute.
Accessed February 25, 2022. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bangladesh_2014?lang=en.
87 The Comparative Constitutions Project. “Korea (Republic of) 1948 (Rev. 1987) Constitution.” Constitute.
Accessed February 25, 2022. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Republic_of_Korea_1987?lang=en.
88 Ibid.
38
Bangladesh and RoK’s commitment for global peace: UN peace keeping operations
Both Bangladesh and Republic of Korea have made noteworthy contributions to the UN through peacekeeping operations (PKO), development assistance and the promotion of human rights, assistance to the refugee etc. issues. RoK served as non-permanent member of UN Security Council on two occasions: 1996-1997 and 2013-2014.89 RoK has also served as the President of the Council for May 1997, February 2013, and May 2014 90. Bangladesh was elected vice-president of the General Assembly in 1975, 2016-17, 2021-22.91 It also served as an elected member of UN Economic and Social Council on several occasions, served as a member of UN Security Council in 1979-80 and in 2000-01, served as member of UN Human Right Commission from 1983 to 2000.92 RoK supported Bangladesh when the latter raised that coherence, reform and resources are key to the sustainability of the UN PKO in 2018.93
Very recently, RoK hosted 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial virtually held from 7 to 8 December 2021.94 RoK pledged to donate 16 helicopters to partner countries so they can be used in UN peacekeeping missions. Bangladesh pledged to provide 2 units of aero medical evacuation team, air transportation unit, aviation security unit, 1 Francophone formed police unit.95 We see their constitutional commitments are also reflected on their actions on the regional and global peace activism. As of September 2021, the total number of personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping operations is 87,563 which includes troops, military observers and civilian police officers from RoK. Since 1988,
“Bangladesh has participated in 54 peacekeeping missions in 40 different countries with more than 175,000 uniformed personnel”.96 At present, Bangladesh is contributing 6389 uniformed personnel, while 647 RoK uniformed personnel are serving in different UN missions.97 Both are continuously expanding their PKO in terms of size and mandate. They have become providers of global peace and security than solely being consumers.
89 King, Robert. “The Two Koreas Mark 30 Years of UN Membership: Different Roles for North and South Korea.”
Korea Economic Institute of America, September 28, 2021. https://keia.org/the-peninsula/the-two-koreas-mark-30-years-of-un-membership-different-roles-for-north-and-south-korea/.
90 Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Overview: UN.” Korea’s Participation in UN Activities.
Accessed February 18, 2022. https://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/wpge/m_5460/contents.do.
91 The Daily Star. “76th United Nations General Assembly Session: Bangladesh Elected Vice-President.” The Daily Star, June 8, 2021. https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/76th-united-nations-general-assembly-session-bangladesh-elected-vice-president-2107077.
92 The United Nations Security Council. “Search Membership by Country: Bangladesh.” The United Nations Security Council. Accessed February 18, 2022.
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/search/country?field_member_state_value=BGD.
93 Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Remarks at the PBC Organizational Committee Meeting with the President of the General Assembly as the Vice Chair of the 12th Session.” Issues: Policy Information, March 8, 2018. https://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/brd/m_5461/view.do?seq=319321.
94 The United Nations Secretary-General. “Note to Correspondents: 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Concludes with 62 Countries Making New Pledges for UN Peacekeeping Operations,” December 8, 2021.
https://www.un.org/sg/en/node/261059.
95 The United Nations. “2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial: Member State Pledges,” 2021.
https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/pk-ministerial-pledge-list-3april.pdf.
96 Rasul, Ilyas Iftikhar. “United Nations Peace Operations and Bangladesh.” The Daily Star, March 26, 2021.
https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/celebrating-50-years-bangladesh/news/united-nations-peace-operations-and-bangladesh-2066693.
97 The United Nations. “Contribution of Uniformed Personnel to UN by Country and Personnel Type,” December 31, 2021.