Trends and Directions
Project Director: Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain Project Coordinator: Md. Ali Siddiquee
Contributors:
Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain Md. Ali Siddiquee
Md. Anwarul Azim Md. Saiful Islam
Suranjana Dass Mrittika Sheuli Fateha
Aditi Chakrovorty
A Study on
Bangladesh-South
Korea Relations:
2
A study on Bangladesh-South Korea Relations:
Trends and Directions
February 2022
Supported by The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh
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Research Team Project Director and Editor
Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain
Founder and Director, The East Asia Study Center University of Dhaka
Project Coordinator
Md. Ali Siddiquee
Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations University of Dhaka
Contributors
Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain
Founder and Director, The East Asia Study Center University of Dhaka
Md. Ali Siddiquee
Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations University of Dhaka
Md. Anwarul Azim
Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka
Md. Saiful Islam
Research Associate, The East Asia Study Center, University of Dhaka
Suranjana Dass Mrittika
Research Associate, The East Asia Study Center, University of Dhaka
Sheuli Fateha
Lecturer, Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka
Aditi Chakrovorty
Research Associate, The East Asia Study Center, University of Dhaka
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Table of contents
Sections Page
01. Introduction
Delwar Hossain……… 15
02. A Historical Overview of Bangladesh and South Korea Relations
Md. Saiful Islam & Suranjana Dass Mrittika……… 21 03. Bangladesh-Republic of Korea Political Relations in the last 50 years:
Looking back and ways ahead
Md. Ali Siddiquee……… 31
04. Bangladesh-South Korea Economic Affairs: Expanding Horizons
Md. Anwarul Azim……… 56
05. South Korean ODA in Bangladesh
Md. Anwarul Azim……… 79
06. People to people exchanges: Cultural Cooperation Between Bangladesh and South Korea (1972-2021)
Sheuli Fateha and Aditi Chakrovorty……… 104 07. Conclusion
Delwar Hossain……… 132
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Acknowledgements
This report, first of its kind in Bangladesh, is based on the research about Bangladesh-South Korea bilateral relations at the advent of the celebrating the Golden Jubilee of bilateral relations between the two countries. It covers the major dimensions and areas of the relations giving special attention to assess the trends and directions over the last fifty years. It is a timely initiative from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh to evaluate the current state of relations. The keen enthusiasm and endeavors of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh H.E. LEE Jang-keun has made it possible to conduct this study. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Ambassador Lee Jang-keun and his colleagues. We express our sincerest thanks to the honorable Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Jungyoul Lee, First Secretary, and Yoona Song, Political/Economic Affairs Researcher, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh. We are also immensely grateful to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh for their valuable comments, suggestions, and support in getting the bulk of literature, documents, data and information. It has been an overwhelming support to us.
We thank the contributors of this research project for their insights, expertise and hard works that have greatly contributed to improve the quality of the research. I sincerely thank Md. Ali Siddiquee for his overall coordination and support for the study. We extend our thanks to other members of the research team – Assistant Professor Md. Anwarul Azim, Lecturer Sheuly Fateha, Md. Saiful Islam, Ms. Aditi Chakroborty, and Ms. Suranjana Dass Mrittika. This research is also indebted to the Central Library, University of Dhaka for sharing the invaluable and effective data and information. We are thankful to the relevant authority of the University of Dhaka. Finally, we believe that this research will contribute to reducing information and knowledge gaps for further research on bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Korea and will open up a new horizon of cooperation and partnership. We take the responsibility of any unintended errors in the study.
6 Abbreviations
APAB (Alacrity for Poverty Alleviation in Bangladesh) ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
BADC (Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation) BCSIR (Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) BEPZA (Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority)
BIFF (Busan International Film Festival) BIG-B (Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth-Belt)
BIISS (Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies) BMET (Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training)
BRI (Belt and Road Initiative)
BSMMU (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University) CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
COP (Conference of Parties)
DPHE (Department of Public Health Engineering) DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement) EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) EPS (Employment Permit System)
FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific)
FLTC (Foreign Language Training Centers) GKS (Global Korea Scholarship)
ICT (Information and Communications Technology)
IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) IOM (International Organization for Migration)
IPS (Indo-Pacific Strategy)
ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) KDAB (Korean Development Association in Bangladesh) KEPZ (Korean Export Processing Zone)
KITA (Korea International Trade Agency)
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency)
KOTRA (South Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) LDCs (Least-Developed Countries)
MAMF (Migrants Arirang Multicultural Festival) MFA (Multi-Fibre Agreement)
MFN (Most Favored Nation)
MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) MoU (Memorandum of Understanding)
NAPCP (Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Platform) NBR (National Board of Revenue)
NGO (Non-governmental Organization) NNP (New Northern Policy)
NSP (New Southern Policy) NSPP (New Southern Policy Plus) ODA (Official Development Aid)
7 PPP (Public Private Partnership)
PYE (Promote Youth Entrepreneurship) RMG (Ready-made Garment)
ROK (Republic of Korea)
SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
SEZ (Special Economic Zone)
SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) SITF (Seoul International Tourism Fair)
SRBD (Samsung R&D Institute Bangladesh) TTC (Technical Training Center)
UITRCE (Upazila ICT Training and Resource Centers for Education) UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) WASA (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority)
WFP (World Food Programme)
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Executive Summary
Bangladesh and South Korea have always maintained a friendly and warm relationship. The early period of their relationship witnessed a limited scope of their relations in different arenas.
Over the past fifty years, both the nations have developed a solid foundation of a cordial and long-lasting partnership for the present and the future. A number of treaties were signed between them which gives the hint of a coming of effective and eventful partnership between them.
During this period there were some simultaneous developments that shaped the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and ROK with a momentous progress.
First, South Korean rise as an Asian Tiger economy persuaded its regional and global economic and diplomatic vision which in turn paved the way for increasing engagement between the two countries. Second, Bangladesh’s adaptation of the free market economy and opening up prompted other countries like South Korea to find its economic interests in the country. Third, the growing rise of Bangladesh’s geopolitical and geo-economic importance and Korean vision of global economic engagement have added a new urgency of strengthening of bilateral relations.
Fourth, constant shift in global economic and political regimes, mostly marked by the in swing of Asian century put forward by robust economic growth, geopolitical and strategic conundrum, has facilitated the both to come onto the same table. Bangladesh’s vision of being a developed country (Sonar Bangla) by 2041 riding on SDGs, perspective plans, has brought Bangladesh to boost its economic partnerships with internal and external partners.
Korean vision of global economic engagement shaped the bilateral relations with a momentous progress. Notably, the constructive role of Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have contributed to change the socio- economic landscapes of Bangladesh. South Korean Ambassador Lee Jang-keun said: “As a trusted development partner of Bangladesh, South Korea will continue to support Bangladesh in its journey toward socio-economic development. The new EDCF framework arrangement signed will provide additional momentum to further boost our economic and development cooperation”.1 Due to the South Korean role, Bangladesh regards RoK “a special friend” that is deeply involved in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
South Korea is a pioneer country to invest in Bangladesh and ranks 5th in providing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The Republic of Korea was the first country to set up an exclusive foreign Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Bangladesh and is still one of the top sources of FDI, especially in the textile and garment sector. It is increasingly engaging itself in the infrastructure, energy, ICT and medical equipment sectors. Moreover, during the visit of the former Korean Premier H.E. Lee Nak-yon in July 2019, he expressed his interest to make cluster investment in the SEZ of Bangladesh. Both countries have set to strike an economic-cooperation deal with each other as South Korea will provide some $700-million aid in the next five years.
As a bilateral development partner, it provides ODA to Bangladesh in the form of grants from the KOICA and soft loans from the EDCF administered by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Exim Bank) in priority areas like health, education, transportation, ICT, energy and water
1 The United News Bangladesh. 2021. “Korea to Provide $700m in Soft Loans between 2021-25.” The United News Bangladesh. October 25, 2021. https://www.unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/korea-to-provide-700m-in-soft-loans- between-2021-25/81096.
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treatment. According to reports, a larger share of South Korean official development assistance to Bangladesh has been used in infrastructure, railway development, telecommunications, transmission lines, and e-government infrastructure sectors.
The constructive role of KOICA is another classic example of how ROK is facilitating Bangladesh’s development path. Since its establishment in Bangladesh in 1991, the organization has contributed a total of USD164 million, of which the health sector accounted for maximum 30 per cent of total budget, followed by education (29%), governance (17%) and science, technology and innovation (11%).2 Recently, South Korean Super Petrochemical has proposed investments worth $ 2.38 billion in petrochemicals.3
Remittance is another thriving sector of economic engagement between the two countries. South Korea has been admitting foreign expatriate workers from Bangladesh, under their Employment Permit System (EPS) since 2004. Around 2,000-3,000 Bangladeshi workers are exported annually under this program. During the fiscal year 2020-21, the amount of the remittance by Bangladesh expatriates in South Korea recorded $209 million - which made South Korea as the 13th major remittance source country for Bangladesh. The government of South Korea recently decided to resume the entry of Bangladesh expatriate workers to South Korea which suspended temporarily due to the global COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
Bilateral relations in technical, infrastructural and health sectors are also notable. Korean support for technical education, partnership in ensuring quality health facilities as well as investment in infrastructural development are quite commendable. These are providing the fertile grounds for flourishing the bilateral relations in a sustainable manner. For instance, Hyundai Motors has partnered with Fair Technology Limited to establish an automobile assembling plant in a hi-tech park in Gazipur’s Kaliakair, operations of which would start by February 2021. South Korea is extending its partnership and cooperation to Bangladesh to achieve the development goals.
It is remarkable to mention that the relation has not just been confined to the economic cooperation regime; rather it has been extended to other areas i.e. socio-political and cultural spheres. Substantive progress has been made in sectors such as exchanges of scholarship, shared political belief of peace and prosperity, reciprocity in technological as well as non-traditional security issues. In international forums, Korea and Bangladesh have been maintaining a constructive relation in pursuance of global peace and development. Bangladesh has backed South Korea’s bid for various positions in a number of international organizations. Both countries have established cooperation in areas like climate change, bio-diversity through strong partnership. Bangladesh sought help from South Korea for addressing environmental change and conserving biodiversity.
South Korean economic assistance and expressing political goodwill in the case of Rohingya refugee issue is notable. South Korea has provided the international community with around $20
2 Young-Ah Doh, “30 years of KOICA in Bangladesh,” The Financial Express, April 10, 2021, https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/30-years-of-koica-in-bangladesh-
1618065342?__cf_chl_managed_tk__=zZc3dPjMjbXhOnYWISOjNsAfuFpZnL0ltKalzG2G37c-1636264822-0- gaNycGzNCX0, Accessed on November 10, 2021.
3 The Daily Star. 2019. “Strengthening Bangladesh’s ties with South Korea,” The Daily Star, July 16, 2019, https://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/news/strengthening-bangladeshs-ties-south-korea-1771948, Accessed on December 18, 2021.
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million between 2017 and 2021 for Rohingya-related activities in Bangladesh. In addition to the financial contributions, South Korea, through KOICA, has also implemented a number of humanitarian projects to support the Rohingya refugees and host communities in partnership with other international organizations and international NGOs.
Against this backdrop, it is worthwhile to assess the dynamics of bilateral relations between the two countries giving special emphasis on trends and directions of the relations. This study is particularly important as the bilateral relations between the two countries have reached a level that signifies a very positive development in nature, scope and directions. While Bangladesh is thriving on economic development, inking its footsteps in the regional and global arena, South Korean unequivocal engagements with Bangladesh through its robust partnership in areas i.e.
economy, culture, technology and society have been marked as a source of new momentum.
It is imperative to evaluate the achievements that both have attained in the last five decades and the challenges both are facing now. Notably, this study is also striking when both the countries are going to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In addition, it is also deeply significant to conduct such a study as Bangladesh is celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In this connection, this study has immense significance for the further expansion of bilateral relations.
This study has been directed to appraise the progress and continuity of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Korea in the last fifty years. It has considered the trends and directions of the relations and proposed suggestions for coming years.
Methodologically, the study has relied both on primary and secondary sources of data and information. Primary data and information have been collected from reports, archives, and official statistics. The study has conducted a focused group discussion (FGD) with twenty respondents to explore the experiences, dynamics, and suggestions for bilateral relations. An extensive level of content analysis has been made to assess how the bilateral relations came today, giving special attention to explore dimensions, trends, and directions. Additionally, secondary data and information have been collected from different sources to conduct a desk analysis of existing literature to make a comparison of bilateral relations of both Bangladesh and South Korea with other regional countries.
Structurally, the study is divided into seven chapters, including the introduction and conclusion.
The introductory chapter presents an overall summary of the study that gives a holistic image of the bilateral relations. The second chapter delves into the historical background and analyzes major dimensions of bilateral relations. It also has given the current challenges and future prospects of the relations. In the third chapter, there are analyses on the political relations in the last 50 years covering the nature, scopes and directions of the relations.
It has tried to give a picture of past and present and finally a future direction. The fourth and fifth chapters have analyzed the economic aspects of bilateral relations that are the most robust development of the relations. These chapters presented an integrated image of the courses and directions of economic engagements. The sixth chapter presented the cultural trends of bilateral relations covering important aspects and modes that signifies the soft power characteristics of the relations. Chapter seven has made an overall assessment of the study and recommended measures for further expansion and development of bilateral relations.
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The study has demonstrated that Bangladesh-South Korea relations have evolved from recognition and a limited economic engagement to a comprehensive partnership in the present era. The growing partnership is widely visible in the areas of economy, diplomacy, remittance, culture, education, and strategic domains. As the contours of the regional and global economy are changing amid an increased level of interdependence, paced by the forces of globalization and information technology, both countries are deepening and widening their bilateral relations.
Notably, in the changing geopolitical and security landscapes in the world, in general, and in Asia particularly, Bangladesh and South Korea face common challenges that inspire the two countries to work together for mutual interests and cooperation. The study shows that the major thrust of the bilateral relations is economic cooperation where South Korea has pioneered international engagements in Bangladesh especially in developing ready-made garments (RMG) sectors. The historic contributions of Daewoo Corporation and Desh Garments to establish RMG sectors in Bangladesh as the maiden initiative in the late 1970s paved the way for Bangladesh to be one of the key global RMG producers.
Set about in 1972, the bilateral relations have been remarkable in recent years. Based on mutual respect and shared beliefs of global peace, harmony and development, the two countries have successfully been opened up the horizon of an intensified mode of interactions. From economy to politics and society to culture, they have consolidated their bilateral relations. Bangladesh has regarded South Korea as a ‘special friend’ and ‘core partner’ for the immeasurable contributions of South Korea in areas of economy, society, culture, health and infrastructure. Moreover, Bangladesh has expected to get a huge investment from South Korea to realize its detailed infrastructure projects. Bangladesh is now expecting at least $21 billion South Korean investment in big infrastructure and other projects.4
Similarly, South Korea considers Bangladesh as a major development partner in South Asia for its huge economic prospects, markets, and human resources. South Korea is enthusiastic to reach the relations to the new height and diversify its modes and scopes of engagements. During his visit to Bangladesh in 2019, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon expressed his interest to further the relations in the coming days. To his words, “As it has been over the last half a century, Korea will continue to be by the side of Bangladesh in the next half a century”.5
Over the past five decades, both countries have traveled a long way. South Korea has been one of the top partners of trade and investment, providers of ODA and facilitators in areas of health, education and infrastructure. There is a genuine scope to widen the bilateral ties based on diversification of economic relations, particularly trade. It becomes imperative when we look at the comparative assessment of bilateral relations of both the countries with their neighbors and regional countries. The current mode of relations seems inadequate when the regional countries are thriving on diversifying their relations, transcending the national and regional boundaries.
Bangladesh and South Korea could have done more when there are suitable terms and favorable environment between them. Notably, there are no such issues of common concern that harm the
4 Jahidul Islam and Mehedi Al Amin. 2021. "Bangladesh expects $21b Korean investment in infrastructure," The Business Standard, 03 April, 2021, https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/infrastructure/bangladesh-expects-21b- korean-investment-infrastructure-226114, Accessed on January 15, 2022.
5 The Dhaka Tribune. 2021. "With rapid rise in Asia’s heart, Bangladesh echoing miracle on S Korea's Han River,"
Dhaka Tribune, March 25, 2021, https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/2021/03/25/with- rapid-rise-in-asia-s-heart-bangladesh-echoing-miracle-on-s-korea-s-han-river, Accessed on January 21, 2022.
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bilateral relations in essence. In this regard, it is expected that the relations must embrace new dynamics with renewed vigor. Moreover, it is high time for both the countries to forward the relations to the next level, particularly when Bangladesh has thrust on developmental aspirations along with the high demand of FDI and ODA and South Korea has keen interests to be a reliable partner of Bangladesh to make an example of a natural friend. In essence, Bangladesh wants what South Korea has and South Korea desires what Bangladesh has. Thus, the confluence of attributes and interests can make the relations a great one.
Challenges, prospects and suggestions
The bilateral relations between the two countries are about to turn 50 years in 2023. During the years there has been remarkable progress to note. At the same time, there are some challenges for taking the relations to the next level. First, on the political domain, frequent political engagements between the two are a challenge. Arranging regular visits of political leaderships, diplomatic envoys has been a notable challenge. For instance, high level visits of political leaders are not so frequent. Second, facilitating constant diplomatic conclaves and measures is also a challenge to improve bilateral diplomatic relations. Measure of foreign office consultation was initiated to assess processes of diplomatic relations and develop it. But unfortunately, it has not been executed regularly.
Third, on the economic front, both countries have not been able to turn to deeper economic engagements, though the relations have reached to celebrate the golden jubilee of establishing bilateral relations. Even, South Korea has become successful in developing excellent economic engagement with India, the near neighbor of Bangladesh, but not with Bangladesh at the expected level. Fourth, developing further improvements on strategic-geopolitical relations is another challenge, though there are enormous prospects in this regard for both countries when South Korea is embarking on New Southern Policy (NSP) and Bangladesh’s geopolitical and strategic significance is growing in recent years.
While there are some challenges as mentioned above, both the countries see new prospects in further consolidating the relations in the changing contexts of regional and global politics and economy. This study has identified these prospects as mentioned below.
▪ Politically, due to the stable political order and homogenous democratic culture of two countries, there are opportunities of increased political engagements in bilateral and multilateral forums between the two countries. Both countries can grab the opportunity of developing the current state of relations when shared political beliefs, common colonial legacy as well as foreign policy values can be the breeding ground of expanding the political relations. Supporting each other’s initiatives and policies in a befitting manner would be a prospective ground of bilateral relations.
▪ Diplomatically, both countries have leverages in this regard to reach out bilateral diplomatic relations to the next level. The consonance of diplomatic objectives of promoting global peace and development and abiding by the rules and principles of United Nations’ vision of human rights and peaceful international order will be of great benefits in this regard.
Regular high level diplomatic meetings and visits, joint diplomatic engagements, mutual recognition and support each other’s policies and initiatives in bilateral and multilateral forums can be the horizon of improved relations.
▪ In the economic arena, though there has been notable progress, both countries have to work more in this regard. Due to the rising economic growth, vast demography, huge market,
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aspiring developmental vision of Bangladesh on the one hand, and proven economic partnerships of South Korea in regard to FDI, foreign aid on the other hand, will be a potential ground of furthering bilateral economic relations.
▪ In strategic and geopolitical domains, Bangladesh-South Korean engagements may produce strong partnership. When South Korea is embarking on the New Southern Policy and forwarding its strategic vision of being a regional player in the Indo-Pacific region and Bangladesh’s growing significance in the geopolitical area accelerated by evolving dynamics in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean region, both countries can exploit the opportunities for mutual benefits. Notably, new strategic dynamics in the region put forward by US’s Indo-Pacific strategy, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Japan’s idea of Free and Open Indo-Pacific will create a new framework of cooperation for both countries.
▪ In terms of human development and non-traditional security aspects, there is profound potential to extend the relations to a new height. As Bangladesh is enjoying demographic dividends and devising its plans to invest in human capital development as well as working in meeting the global standard of climate change directives and human rights development, South Korea can be the best one in this regard to extend cooperative hands.
Though there are some challenges in the relations, there are even more possibilities. In this connection, the study suggests some measures for further strengthening of Bangladesh-South Korea relations.
▪ As the bilateral relationship has limited scope and is less diversified, looking beyond the traditional mode of cooperation can be an effective approach. Both countries may emphasize increasing their areas of cooperation i.e. diversification of the nature and scope of the relations.
▪ In the increased pace of bilateral trade and initiation of extending special treatment to other partner through commencing free trade regime, both the countries may sign a free trade agreement, when bilateral trade has not been increased to expected volume. It may create mutual economic benefits and incentives in Bangladesh’s economic sectors.
▪ One of the major challenges of deepening relations is distance. But the distance pertaining between the countries can be reduced to a considerable manner if they utilize the communication technology. For instance, a hotline between the countries as well as direct flight between them on a regular basis can be effective.
▪ Due to the growing geopolitical and strategic competition in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean region among regional and extra-regional states, approaching next footsteps on the strategic front has been an issue of concern. As Bangladesh’s growing significance of the geopolitical landscape is rising, South Korea can consider its renewed engagement in the Bay of Bengal, especially when both countries share the common views of freedom navigation, exploration of ocean resources.
▪ There are prospective areas of accelerating diplomatic engagements like-arranging joint diplomatic initiative of arranging Bangladesh-South Korea diplomatic conclave, engaging South Korea in regional organizations, conducting regular Foreign Office Consultation Meetings can be considered.
▪ To further the economic engagements, both countries can take measures like: strengthening trade and economic partnership both on governmental and non-governmental levels, arranging trade and investment expo, establishing a joint committee for assessing economic
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progress. South Korea can think about taking initiative like South Korea-Bangladesh Joint Economic Belt (SKB-EB).
▪ Similarly, Bangladesh can foster increased pace of cooperation through pursuing South Korean investment capability and technical bases.
▪ Cultural exchanges should not be tapped into labour migration and friendly visits. It should be extended in other manners like joint cultural commission, exchanges of cultural figures, intellectual communities as well as think tanks.
▪ Technical cooperation should be explored more as Bangladesh needs huge skilled human resources and South Korea has expertise on it.
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Chapter One Introduction
Delwar Hossain
In international relations, bilateral linkages between two countries deserve critical significance. It is even more crucial when countries in the world are interacting in a globalized system of interdependence. From the prehistoric to the current literature of international relations and diplomacy, cooperation through interactive ways has deeply been significant. Specifically, in the fast changing world, paced by the rapid flows of people, culture, ideas, goods and services, bilateral relations have been dominant in comparative international relations. The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Korea are not anomalous in this regard as both the countries have commonalities in various areas that give the solid ground for expanding the relations. The interactions between the two nations were established from the early age of 3rd Century BCE when Buddhism was flourishing in the Bengal under the Mauryan emperors.
Moreover, commonalities in historical legacies, similarities in socio-political orientations as well as in shared beliefs for global peace have bonded both the countries in a common thread of bilateral relations.
Notably, bilateral relations between the two have also been influenced by the principles of mutual respect and trust, democratic values and ideals, common history of colonial legacy and concurrent pursuance of developmental aspirations. Both the historical accounts and current affairs have facilitated the breeding ground of the flourishment of the relations. The religious- cultural linkages and political-diplomatic interactions between and among prominent personalities and political figures made easy of the acceleration of the relations. The religious linkage of Buddhism via Hyecho, one of the Silla monks in the Tang capital, and historical connection through Princess Suriratna provides evidence of interactions between the two regions of Asia.
Likewise, Rabindranath Tagore heralded cultural connection by his well-written poem titled
‘Lamp of the East’ in 1929. It expressed the very linkage between the two nations through portraying the struggle of the Korean people against the foreign occupation. Later, in the very beginning of 1970s, during and after the war of independence in 1971, Ban Ki-moon contributed immensely as a facilitator of bilateral relations. His fascination with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s great leadership role and respect to the freedom struggle of Bangladesh against brutality of Pakistan originated the relations.
Notably, Bangabandhu’s enthusiasm and foreign policy directions towards countries of East and Southeast Asia gave a solid base of bilateral relations. Based on this foreign policy dictum
“friendship to all, malice toward none”, Bangladesh has been able to establish stronger relations with the world community and occupied a significant position in the international arena.
Likewise, Bangladesh-South Korea relations was a glorious outcome of the successful foreign policy pursuit of Bangabandhu. The visionary leader approached and established diplomatic relations with South Korea. South Korea also advanced hands of friendship with Bangladesh being pleased with Bangabandhu’s diplomatic mastery. To his words, “…In Southeast Asia, our
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relations with our neighbours are very good, namely, with Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ceylon and North and South Korea”.6
Starting with recognizing Bangladesh as an independent nation on 12 May 1972, and establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries on 18 December 1973, South Korea made history being one of the first countries of East Asia to recognize Bangladesh. However, before liberation war, South Korea opened its Office of the Consulate General in the then East Pakistan in 1968. After liberation, the Consulate General in New Delhi was in charge of Bangladesh before official diplomatic mission in Dhaka was inaugurated on 1 March 1975.
Later, Bangladesh opened its mission in South Korea in February 1987. Since then, the bilateral relations have gone through a transformative development. From economic and developmental areas to technical sectors and socio-cultural matters to political-diplomatic domains, the relations have been widening and deepening with constant dynamism.
Bangladesh and South Korea have always maintained friendly and warm relations. But the early period of their relations covered limited scope in different arenas. South Korea being an Asian Tiger, aspiring to help least developed countries, like the then Bangladesh, could not contribute to the extent it could do. Efforts seemed to be less frequent during the cold war period. However, it helped lay the foundation of a cordial and long-lasting partnership in the future, in that sense, it was significant as a number of treaties were signed between them which gives the hint of a coming of an effective and eventful partnership between them.
During this period there were some simultaneous developments that shaped the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and ROK with a momentous progress. Firstly, South Korean rise as an Asian Tiger economy persuaded its regional and global economic and diplomatic vision which in turn paved the way for increasing engagement between the two countries. Secondly, Bangladesh’s adaptation of the free market economy and opening up prompted other countries like South Korea to find its economic interests abroad. Thirdly, the growing rise of Bangladesh’s geopolitical and geo-economic importance and Korean vision of global economic engagement have been bonded here. Fourth, a constant shift in the global economic and political regime, mostly marked by the in swing of Asian century put forward by robust economic growth, geopolitical and strategic conundrum, has facilitated the both to come onto the same table.
Finally, Bangladesh’s vision of being a developed country (Sonar Bangla) by 2041 riding on SDGs, prospective plans, has brought Bangladesh to boost its economic partnerships with internal and external partners.
The South Korean vision of global economic engagement shaped the bilateral relations with a momentous progress. Notably, the constructive role of EDCF, KOICA changed the socio- economic landscapes of Bangladesh. South Korean Ambassador Lee Jang-keun said: “As a trusted development partner of Bangladesh, South Korea will continue to support Bangladesh in its journey toward socio-economic development. The new EDCF framework arrangement signed will provide additional momentum to further boost our economic and development
6 Rabindranath Trivedi, “International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
Documents, Messages and Speeches,” Volume 1 (1971-1973), Parama Publication, Dhaka, September 1999, p. 54.
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cooperation.”7 Due to South Korean roles, Bangladesh regards RoK “a special friend” that deeply is involved in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.8
South Korea is a pioneer country to invest in Bangladesh and ranks 5th in providing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The Republic of Korea was the first country to set up an exclusive foreign Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Bangladesh and is still one of the top sources of Foreign Direct Investment, especially in textile and garment sector. It is increasingly engaging itself in the infrastructure, energy, ICT and medical equipment sectors. Moreover, during the visit of the former Korean Premier H.E. Lee-Nak-yon in July 2019, he expressed his interest to make cluster investment in the SEZ of Bangladesh. Both countries have set to strike an economic-cooperation deal with Seoul as the latter will provide some $700-million aid in the next five years.9 The constructive role of KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) is another classic instance how ROK is facilitating Bangladesh’s development path. Since its establishment in Bangladesh in 1993, the organization has contributed a total of $164 million, of which health sector accounted for maximum 30 per cent of total budget, followed by education (29 per cent), governance (17 per cent) and science, technology and innovation (11 per cent).10 Korea has been one of the major development partners of Bangladesh with its increased roles of development activities. A new framework arrangement regarding soft loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) was signed between South Korea and Bangladesh.
Recently, South Korean Super Petrochemical has proposed investments worth $ 2.38 billion in petrochemicals.11
As a bilateral development partner, it provides ODA to Bangladesh in the form of grants from the KOICA and soft loans from the EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) administered by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Exim Bank) in priority areas like health, education, transportation, ICT, energy and water treatment.12 According to reports, South Korean official support to Bangladesh is characterized with the majority of the funds
7 “S Korea to provide up to $700 million of soft loans between 2021 to 2025,” Dhaka Tribune, 24 October, 2021, https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2021/10/24/s-korea-to-provide-up-to-700-million-of-soft-loans-between- 2021-to-2025, Accessed on November 19, 2021.
8“South Korea a special friend of Bangladesh, says Hasina,” The Daily Star, May 19, 2010, https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-139151, Accessed on November 11, 2021.
9 “S Korea to provide up to $700 million of soft loans between 2021 to 2025,” Dhaka Tribune, October 24, 2021, https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2021/10/24/s-korea-to-provide-up-to-700-million-of-soft-loans-between- 2021-to-2025, Accessed on November 29, 2021.
10 Young-Ah Doh, “30 years of KOICA in Bangladesh,” The Financial Express, April 10, 2021, https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/30-years-of-koica-in-bangladesh-
1618065342?__cf_chl_managed_tk__=zZc3dPjMjbXhOnYWISOjNsAfuFpZnL0ltKalzG2G37c-1636264822-0- gaNycGzNCX0, Accessed on November 10, 2021.
11 “Strengthening Bangladesh’s ties with South Korea,” The Daily Star, July 16, 2019,
https://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/news/strengthening-bangladeshs-ties-south-korea-1771948, Accessed on December 18, 2021
12 Pathik Hasan. “Bilateral trade reaches $1.57 billion, has good prospect to continuously grow,” Korea Post, 25 August, 2021, https://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=24335, Accessed on November 25, 2021.
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spent in infrastructure, railway development, telecommunications, transmission lines, and e- government infrastructure.13
The relation has not been stuck in economic cooperation regime; rather it has been extended to other areas i. e. socio-political and cultural spheres. Substantive progress has been made in sectors such as exchanges of scholarship, shared political belief of peace and prosperity, reciprocity in technological as well as non-traditional security issues. In international forums, Korea and Bangladesh have been maintaining a constructive relation in pursuance of global peace and development. Bangladesh has backed the Republic of Korea’s bid for various positions in a number of international organizations. South Korean financial assistance and political good will in the case of Rohingya issue is notable. Korea has provided the international community with around $ 20 million between 2017 and 2021 for Rohingya-related activities in Bangladesh. In addition to the financial contributions, the Republic of Korea, through KOICA, has also implemented a number of humanitarian projects to support the Rohingya refugees and host communities in partnership with other international organizations and international NGOs.14 Both countries have established cooperation in non-traditional security areas like climate change, bio-diversity through strong partnership. Bangladesh sought help from South Korea for addressing environmental change and conserving biodiversity. South Korea also requested Bangladesh to support in hosting the COP-28 in South Korea.15 To improve the water management system Bangladesh has signed a loan agreement with South Korea of $ 47 million for the “Bhandal Jhuri Water Supply Project”.16 Moreover, Bangladesh High-Tech Park Authority, Startup Bangladesh Limited and Korean Export Processing Zone (KPZ) signed a tripartite MoU for increasing private investment, providing policy support for investment and work jointly.17
Labour market is another thriving sector of economic engagement between the two countries.
The RoK has been admitting foreign expatriate workers from Bangladesh, under their employment permit system (EPS) since 2004. Around 2,000-3,000 Bangladeshi workers are exported annually under this program. During the fiscal year 2020-21, the amount of the remittance by Bangladesh expatriates in Korea recorded $ 209 million - which made Korea the 13th major remittance source country for Bangladesh.18 Currently, approximately 7,500
13 Sheikh Shahriar Zaman. “Bangladesh-South Korea sign Agreement,” Dhaka Tribune, 18 March, 2014,
https://www.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2014/03/18/bangladesh-south-korea-sign-agreement, November 24, 2021.
14 “US, S Korea to provide more humanitarian assistance for Rohingyas,” Dhaka Tribune, May 19, 2021, https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/rohingya-crisis/2021/05/19/us-s-korea-to-provide-more-humanitarian- assistance-for-rohingyas, Accessed on December 10, 2021.
15“Bangladesh Seeks Korean Assistance on Climate Change,” The New Age, August 13, 2021,
http://www.newagebd.net/article/146187/bangladesh-seeks-korean-assistance-on-climate-change, Accessed on November 7, 2021.
16Monthly Highlights, June 2021, vol. 1, the Embassy of Bangladesh at Seoul, South Korea, http://bdembassykorea.org/en/?p=5872, Accessed on October 24, 2021.
17Monthly Highlights, February 2021, vol. 1, the Embassy of Bangladesh at Seoul, South Korea, http://bdembassykorea.org/en/?p=5496, Accessed on October 24, 2021.
18 “South Korea reopens doors for Bangladeshi workers,” Dhaka Tribune, November 09, 2021,
https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2021/11/09/south-korea-resumes-entry-of-bangladesh-expatriate-workers, Accessed on November 26, 2021.
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Bangladeshi workers are now working in South Korea. The number was about 20,000 few years back. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, South Korea imposed temporary ban on the recruitment of expatriate workers since June 2020. With global vaccination drives to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in full gear, South Korea has decided to reopen the labor market.19 The government of South Korea recently decided to resume the entry of Bangladesh expatriate workers to Korea. In this respect, the decision of reopening of Korean labor market will be of great benefit for Bangladesh.
Bilateral relations in technical, infrastructural and health sectors are also notable. Korean supports for technical education, partnership in ensuring quality health facilities as well as investment in infrastructural development are quite commendable. These are providing the fertile grounds for flourishing the bilateral relations with a sustainable manner. For instance, Hyundai Motors has partnered with Fair Technology Limited to establish an automobile assembling plant in a hi-tech park in Gazipur’s Kaliakair, operations of which would start by February 2023.20 Major South Korean construction and engineering companies i.e. Samsung, Hyundai, POSCO, GS, Halla, Taeyoug, Heelim, and Dowhaare are working in Bangladesh.21 In addition, RoK are undertaking and implementing projects which includes sustainable economic recovery program, CNG-run AC buses for Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation, a modern international training institute for Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, construction of a railway and road across the Karnaphuli river at Kalurghat, Chattogram.22 These are some notable examples of how South Korea is facilitating to make Bangladesh’s development visible through mutual cooperation and partnership.
Against this backdrop, it is worthwhile to assess the dynamics of bilateral relations between the two countries giving special emphasis on picturing out the trends and directions of the relations.
In context, this study is particularly important as the bilateral relations between the two countries have reached the level that signifies a very positive development in nature, scope and directions.
While Bangladesh is thriving on economic development, inking its footsteps in the regional and global arena, South Korean unequivocal engagements with Bangladesh through its robust partnership in areas i.e. economy, culture, technology and society have been marked as a source of new momentum. It is crucial to evaluate the achievements that both have attained in the last five decades and the challenges both are facing now. Notably, this study is also salient when both the countries are going to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
In addition, it is also imperative to conduct such a study as Bangladesh is celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In this connection, this study has immense significance for further consolidating bilateral relations. This study is
19 ibid
20 “BD-South Korea trade relations need revival,” The Daily Star, October 29, 2021,
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/global-economy/news/bd-south-korea-trade-relations-need-revival-2209066, Accessed on December 15, 2021.
21 “Korea committed to strengthening infrastructure partnership with Bangladesh,” The Daily Sun, October 28, 2021, https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/584704/Korea-committed-to-strengthening-infrastructure- partnership-with-Bangladesh, Accessed on December 17, 2021.
22 “S Korea offers $700m for development projects,” The Daily Star, October 25, 2021,
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/s-korea-offers-700m-development-projects-2205546, Accessed on December 18, 2021.
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directed to evaluate the progress and continuity of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Korea in the last fifty years. In overviewing the last five decades, it has considered the trends and directions of the relations and proposed suggestions for coming years.
Methodologically, the study has relied both on primary and secondary sources of data and information. Primary data and information have been collected from reports, archives, and official statistics. The study has conducted a focused group discussion (FGD) with twenty respondents to explore the experiences, dynamics, suggestions of bilateral relations. An extensive level of content analysis has been made to assess how the bilateral relations came today, giving special attention in exploring dimensions, trends and directions of the relations.
Additionally, secondary data and information have been collected from different sources to conduct a desk analysis of existing literature to make a comparison of bilateral relations of both Bangladesh and South Korea with other regional countries.
The study is divided into seven chapters, including introduction and conclusion. The introductory chapter presents an overall summary of the study that gives a holistic image of the bilateral relations. The second chapter delves into the historical accounts of the relations that has given its focus on historical backgrounds to current stages analyzing major dimensions of bilateral relations. It also has given the current challenges and future prospects of the relations. In the third chapter, there are analyses on the political relations in the last 50 years which covers the nature, scopes and directions. Thus, it has tried to give a picture of past and present and finally a future direction. The fourth and fifth chapters have tried to analyze the economic aspects of bilateral relations that are the most robust development of their relations. These chapters are designed to give present an integrated image of the courses and directions of economic engagements. The sixth chapter presents the cultural trends of bilateral relations covering important aspects and modes that signifies the soft power characters of the relations. Chapter seven has made an overall assessment of the study and recommended measures for further expansion and development of bilateral relations.
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Chapter Two
A Historical Overview of Bangladesh and South Korea Relations
Md. Saiful Islam & Suranjana Dass Mrittika
Introduction
Bangladesh and South Korea share warm and cordial relations since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1973. Officially Bangladesh and Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations between them on 18 December 1973, through the establishment of diplomatic relations with Bangladesh was well ahead of that of Pakistan when the Consulate General of the ROK in East Pakistan was established in 1968. Since then, both countries shared strong relations characterized by friendship and partnership. In March 1975, South Korea opened its diplomatic mission in Dhaka and Bangladesh followed the same in 1987.23 Having commonalities in history, shared values, and development aspirations, both have been able to make strong connections between the two nations.24 From economic to socio-political spheres and technological sectors to health issues, both the countries have made significant progress. The then Bangladesh Ambassador to South Korea, Enamul Kabir said that “our bilateral relations are shaped primarily by political goodwill, commonality of views, commitment to peace and economic and commercial interests. Our two countries maintain strong cooperation in areas of trade and investment, development cooperation and technology transfer, employment and human resource development, education and cultural exchange”.25
Notably, over the years the relational dynamics have been got matured extending the scopes and nature of the bilateral relations. From an aid giving country to robust development partner of Bangladesh, South Korea has emerged as a reliable partner in realizing the developmental pathways of Bangladesh. Remarkably, South Korean rise as an investor as well as crucial trade partner is noticeable in recent years. South Korea has been the country’s first and one of the largest contributors of FDI in the RMG sector, and it has played an important role in the growth of RMG. Bangladesh and South Korea have signed agreements on trade and economic cooperation, investment promotion and protection and cultural exchanges and technical and scientific cooperation. Notably, South Korean contribution in official development assistances to Bangladesh in priority areas like health, education, transportation, ICT, energy and water treatment, in the form of grants from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and soft loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) administered by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Exim Bank), is immense.26
23 Md. Shariful Islam, “Unfolding Bangladesh-South Korea Relations: Dimensions, Challenges and Opportunities,”
Social Science Journal, University of Rajshahi, No. 20, 2016, p.177.
24 Raheed Ejaz. “Korea and Bangladesh have developed strong ties of cooperation over the past five decades,” En- Prothom Alo, 12 May, 2021, https://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/interview/korea-and-bangladesh-have-developed- strong-ties-of-cooperation-over-the-past-five-decades, Accessed on December 15, 2021.
25 Md. Shariful Islam, “Unfolding Bangladesh-South Korea Relations: Dimensions, Challenges and Opportunities,”
Social Science Journal, University of Rajshahi, No. 20, 2016, p.177.
26 Pathik Hasan. “Bilateral trade reaches $1.57 billion, has good prospect to continuously grow,” Korea Post, 25 August, 2021, https://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=24335, Accessed on November 25, 2021.
22
Moreover, bilateral relations in political and security areas are also worth to mention. Shared belief of developmental aspirations, common pursuance of durable peace and harmony as well as colonial history has bonded both the countries to a similar knot. Bangladesh, as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, demonstrates a clear awareness of the current problems on the Korean peninsula, and has expressed support for the peninsula’s peace and stability, as well as the peaceful unification of the two Koreas. South Korean unequivocal supports to the Rohingya crisis are worth to mention here. On the other hand, South Korean political and diplomatic supports to Bangladesh in the global and regional forums are remarkable. Bilateral high-level visits of top leaders, diplomats and security personnel are also notable. The expanding cooperation between the two countries is the most encouraging trend in bilateral relations. The uninterrupted robust economic growth of both the countries in the past decades has offered fertile ground for bilateral relations to strengthen significantly.
The growing cooperation of bilateral relations signifies enormous economic opportunities for rising trade cohesion and reciprocity between the two countries. The consequences of trade development, notably the considerable relationship between both nations’ export growth and the rise of their gross domestic products, necessitate more economic cooperation between two far- flung countries to achieve untapped trade potentials. Thus, the increasing pace of engagements between the two countries have been an exemplary one in the contemporary literature of relative bilateral relations. Against this backdrop, this chapter has been developed to make an overview of bilateral relations covering major issues, areas, events ranging from historical accounts to socio-economic issues and political-diplomatic to cultural fetters.
History always reveals the trends and dynamics of relations. It becomes more pertinent when the relations turn into a bilateral one marking the politico-diplomatic and socio-economic paces of engagements. Likewise, the relations between Bangladesh and the Republic of Korea can be traced on account of historical recapitulations, as the relations came into being at the juncture of Cold War dynamics and on the event of the birth of Bangladesh as a newly independent nation.
However, bilateral relations between the two countries have been overviewed here. To define the relational dynamics, this paper has developed the analyses dividing the period into four sections.
The first section denotes the pre-historic engagement between the two countries and the second section analyses the role of South Korea in 1971 liberation war and establishment of diplomatic relations with reference to Bangabandhu and Ban Ki-Moon. The third section analyses the relations that were established and expanding in the Cold War time. The fourth section delves into the relational aspects after the end of cold war where new horizon of cooperation has been paved way through opening of market and expanding trade and investment.
A Glimpse on the Pre-historic Period
The relational dynamics between the two countries date back to pre-historical period when Bangladesh and Korean peninsula came touch on each other through religion, culture as well as politics. The two countries inked their linkage from the 3rd century BCE when Buddhism flourished as the Mauryan emperors extended their influence in Bengal.27 Hyech’o, one of the Silla monks in the Tang capital, traveled to India in the early eighth century in search of Buddhist Law and wrote a famous travelogue titled “An Account of the Journey to the Five
27 Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Bangladesh/The-arts#ref129463, Accessed on December 17, 2021.
23
Indian States”.28 Notably, according to the Korean legend, Princess Suriratna, also known as Heo Hwang-ok, born in India, went to Korea in 48 AD, some 2000 years ago, and started the Karak dynasty by marrying a local king.29 It was the notable linkage between the two nations. In addition, there is a historical-cultural linkage between the two also. Bengalee poet Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore had an immense fascination to the East Asia that also bonded the two in a similar row. He composed a short but redolent poem titled “Lamp of the East” in 1929 about Korea’s glorious past and its promising bright future.30 The poem written when the Koreas was facing brutal Japanese colonial regime. It thus raised immense passion among the Korean people and rayed hopes for golden future days to come.31 To his words:
“In the golden age of Asia Korea was one of its lamp bearers, And that lamp is waiting to be lit once again
For the illumination of the East.”
Apart from those, in modern times, there are marked relations with common history of colonial legacy, shared beliefs of peace and development. As like as Bengal, Korea encountered with foreign forces during the colonial expansion.
South Korea, Bangabandhu and Ban Ki-Moon
The time when the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Korea was established, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He adopted the principle that has now become Bangladesh’s mantra: “Friendship to all, malice to none.”32 He heralded the diplomatic outreach with the countries in the world, especially with the neighboring nations. Notably, the name which comes first for his contribution in establishing stronger bonds with Bangladesh is Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th UN Secretary General. In the early 1970s, Ban Ki- Moon played a critical role in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 1971 and 1972, he worked as a desk officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, where he was in charge of Bangladesh. Ban published numerous documents and reports on Bangladesh’s turbulent situation. Around the end of 1972, Ban Ki-moon was assigned to the Korean Consulate General in New Delhi, where he was involved in the process of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.33 His letter and recommendations for establishment of diplomatic relations with Bangladesh were the foundational bases of the bilateral relations.
28 Young Ick Lew, “Brief History of Korea: A Bird's-Eye View,” The Korea Society, New York, 2000, pp. 10-11.
29 Nikita Mandhani, “The Indian princess who became a South Korean queen,” BBC, November 04, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46055285, Accessed on December 17, 2021.
30“India-Republic of Korea Bilateral Relations,”
https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Bilateral_Brief_Jan_2020.pdf, Accessed on December 17, 2021.
31 Ranjit Kumar Dhawan, “Lamp of the East,” The Korea Times, October 02, 2015,
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2015/09/162_173364.html, Accessed on February 19, 2022.
32 A. K. M. Atiqur Rahman, “Bangabandhu’s Foreign Policy and the World,” The Daily Sun, 9 August, 2017, https://www.daily-sun.com/post/246666/Bangabandhu%E2%80%99s-ForeignPolicy-and-the-World, November 12, 2021.
33 “Korea vows to stand with Bangladesh in realizing Bangabandhu’s dream,” The Daily Sun, 15March, 2021, https://www.daily-sun.com/post/541455/Korea-vows-to-stand-with-Bangladesh-in-realizing-
Bangabandhu%E2%80%99s-dream, Accessed on November 15, 2021.
24
With Ambassador Rho Shin-young of New Delhi, who later became Korea’s Foreign Minister and Prime Minister, Ban traveled to Dhaka several times to negotiate and established a stronger friendship between the two countries. Markedly, Ban was very much fascinated with Bangabandhu’s leadership, patriotism and devotion to the people of Bangladesh. He has always been actively vocal in favor of Bangladesh in the international fora, especially in the time of the liberation war of Bangladesh and right after the liberation for the recognition of Bangladesh and he continues to do so afterwards. “Bangabandhu will always be remembered as the father of modern Bangladesh as well as a great world leader. This is evident to me as a young diplomat in Bangladesh based in India,” this is what Ban Ki-moon said about Bangabandhu as the keynote speaker in the 4th Bangabandhu lecture series on March 15, 2021, titled “Bangabandhu: The Soul of Bangladesh”, on the occasion of the birth centenary of the Father of the nation. He also noted: “…Indeed, Bangabandhu was a forward-thinking man and rare leader who had a far- reaching vision to help ensure a thriving future for his young nation. As a champion for human rights, social and economic equality and in the environment, he was also far ahead of his time”.34
Photo: Korean foreign ministry’s cable to its mission in New Delhi in May 1972 drafted by Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary General and the then desk officer at MOFA, notifying the government's decision to
officially recognize the newly independent Bangladesh.
Source: En-Prothom Alo
34 “Bangabandhu’s legacy extends beyond border: Ban Ki-moon,” The Business Standard, 15th March, 2021, https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/ban-ki-moon-lauds-hasina-bangladeshs-development-216652, Accessed on December 16, 2021.
25 The Cold War Era, 1972-1990
South Korea was amongst the first countries to recognize the newly independent Bangladesh. It recognized Bangladesh on 12 May 1972, even before establishing an official relationship. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Dhaka opened on 1 March 1975, and Ambassador Kim Soon-Kyo became the first Korean Ambassador residing in Dhaka on 25 March 1975.
Ambassador A. M. Chowdhury, based in Tokyo, Japan, presented his credentials as the first Bangladeshi Ambassador to the Government of the Republic of Korea on 29 April 1975. On 16 February 1987, Bangladesh established a resident diplomatic mission in Seoul.35
Photo: Letter from the Korean foreign minister to his counterpart in Bangladesh dated 12 May 1972 notifying Korea’s recognition of Bangladesh. Source: En-Prothom Alo
Bangladesh and ROK ties have always been multidimensional, based on shared values, democratic principles, ideals, and aims. It covered issues like politics, economics, technology, defense, culture, and human development among others. The Cold War period was marked by the foundation of bilateral relations through agreements, collaboration and understanding. The Republic of Korea and Bangladesh signed a trade and economic bilateral agreement in the mid- 1970s.36 On 21 July 1973 they signed an agreement on “Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement”. This was the first ever agreement signed between them. Apart from that, cultural
35 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/bd-en/index.do, Accessed on November 15, 2021.
36 Raheed Ejaz. “Korea and Bangladesh have developed strong ties of cooperation over the past five decades,” En- Prothom Alo, 12 May, 2021, https://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/interview/korea-and-bangladesh-have-developed- strong-ties-of-cooperation-over-the-past-five-decades, Accessed on December 15, 2021.
