Country Lecture Series (CLS) on "Bangladesh-South Korea Relations

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a Country Lecture Series (CLS) titled “Bangladesh–South Korea Relations: Pathways for Future Cooperation” on 28 May 2025 at the BIISS Auditorium.

Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Hon'ble Chief Adviser, Ministry of Finance, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, attended the programme as the Chief Guest. H. E. Park Young Sik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the People's Republic of Bangladesh, graced the event as the Distinguished Guest Speaker. The session was chaired by Ambassador AFM Gosal Azam Sarker, Chairman of BIISS, while Major General Iftekhar Anis, BSP, awc, afwc, psc, PEng, Director General of BIISS, delivered the welcome remarks.

At the outset, Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of BIISS, delivered a presentation titled “Dimensions of Bangladesh–South Korea Relations,” highlighting the historical evolution, current dynamics, and emerging opportunities for bilateral cooperation. He underscored the growing collaboration between the two countries in areas such as trade and investment, technology, education, labour migration, development cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

Following the presentation, H. E. Ambassador Park Young Sik delivered the keynote lecture on the present state and future trajectories of Bangladesh–South Korea relations. He emphasised the enduring friendship between the two countries, founded on mutual trust, shared values, and a common commitment to global peace and prosperity. The Ambassador highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation in economic development, innovation, digital transformation, green growth, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges, while expressing confidence that the bilateral partnership would continue to deepen in the years ahead.

The lecture was attended by senior officials from various ministries and government agencies, serving and retired military officers, members of the diplomatic corps, media representatives, academics, researchers, students from different universities, and representatives of think tanks and international organisations. The interactive open discussion session enabled participants to exchange views and contribute valuable opinions, comments, suggestions, and observations on strengthening Bangladesh–South Korea relations.

In his concluding remarks, the Chief Guest, Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, emphasised the multidimensional nature of Bangladesh–South Korea relations and reaffirmed the importance of sustaining deep bilateral cooperation through robust diplomatic engagement, enhanced economic collaboration, technological partnership, and increased people-to-people connectivity. He expressed optimism that the longstanding friendship between the two countries would continue to flourish, contributing to mutual prosperity and regional stability.