Pakistan–South Korea relations

{{Infobox bilateral relations|Pakistan-South Korea|Pakistan|South Korea|filetype=svg}} '''Pakistan–South Korea relations''' are the bilateral diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and South Korea. Since the 1980s, the relations between the two Asian states have improved and periodically enhanced. Pakistan has an embassy in Seoul, South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Sanjay |date=2022-02-08 |title=Pakistan embassy holds exhibition on journey through Pakistan |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220208000308 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact Us {{!}} Embassy of Pakistan, Republic of Korea |url=http://pkembassy.or.kr/contact/ |access-date=2022-04-08 |language=en-US}}</ref> and South Korea has an embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=The Newspaper's Staff |date=2022-02-09 |title=Korean embassy taking steps to resolve students’ visa issue |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1674016 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Location/ContactEmbassy of the Republic of Korea to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan |url=https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/pk-en/wpge/m_3151/contents.do |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=overseas.mofa.go.kr}}</ref> Pakistan is one of the few countries that have good relations with both North Korea and South Korea.

== Korean language education in Pakistan == Korean has emerged as a popular foreign language among young Pakistani students in recent years. The Department of Korean at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), established in 2006, is regarded as one of the first formal Korean language programs in Pakistan. According to the director of the King Sejong Institute Islamabad, enrollment in Korean-language courses grew from a small initial cohort of three students in 2006 to approximately 180 students per semester in 2018. This increase has been attributed primarily to employment and training opportunities in South Korea, as well as to cultural outreach and language promotion activities conducted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jamal |first=Sana |date=1 November 2018 |title=Foreign language interest on the rise among Pakistanis |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/foreign-language-interest-on-the-rise-among-pakistanis-1.1954799 |website=Gulf News}}</ref>

==Trade links== {{See also|Pakistan–South Korea Free Trade Agreement}}

Bilateral trade between the two countries is around US$1.1 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100323000437|title=Friendship with Korea marks Pakistan national day|author=The Korea Herald|access-date=29 April 2016|date=2010-03-29|archive-date=2012-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320090853/http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100323000437|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both sides have expressed interest to further promote the trade and investment relationship between the two countries. KOTRA (Korea Trade Centre) is playing vital role in enhancing the trade relation between Korea and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-22 |title=Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C12%5C08%5Cstory_8-12-2010_pg5_9 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022083448/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C12%5C08%5Cstory_8-12-2010_pg5_9 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Immigration== {{main|Pakistanis in South Korea}}

In 2005, there were up to 7,000 Pakistanis living in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opf.org.pk/download/anual/YEARBK.pdf|title=Yearbook 2004-05, Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Labour, Manpower & Overseas Pakistanis, (Overseas Pakistanis Division), Islamabad|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524170403/http://www.opf.org.pk/download/anual/YEARBK.pdf|archive-date=2010-05-24}}</ref>

==Bilateral visits== In November 2003, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf paid a three-day official visit to Seoul, South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-11-20 |title=Daily Times - Site Edition |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-10-2003_pg7_4 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041120142843/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-10-2003_pg7_4 |archive-date=20 November 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In spite of Pakistan's friendly relationship with North Korea, Pakistan maintains a strong base in South Korea, with more trade agreements with South Korea and friendly treaty signed by both countries. Recently in 2013, South Korean PM visited Pakistan during his visit many resolutions were signed of cooperation in defense, production and economic cooperation and science and technology with a grant of $10 million to SUPARCO.

==Bilateral agreements and MOUs== A significant boost in the bilateral cooperation has been observed in recent years. From tourism to defense, the two countries are expanding their relations. HE Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the ambassador of Pakistan in ROK, is very keen to connect bilateral R&D sectors. Pakistan have recently joined the Global Green Growth Institute, headquartered in Seoul.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pakistan joins the Global Growth Institute|url=http://pkembassy.or.kr/pakistan-joins-the-global-growth-institute/|access-date=2021-12-02|language=en-US}}</ref> A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Institute of Foreign Affairs & National Security (IFANS) Seoul, South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Memorandum of Understanding between Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Institute of Foreign Affairs & National Security (IFANS) Seoul, South Korea|url=http://pkembassy.or.kr/memorandum-of-understanding-between-institute-of-strategic-studies-islamabad-issi-and-institute-of-foreign-affairs-national-security-ifans-seoul-south-korea/|access-date=2021-12-02|language=en-US}}</ref> In a recent bid, an agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons was signed between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons signed between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea|url=http://pkembassy.or.kr/press-release-4/|access-date=2021-12-02|language=en-US}}</ref> In a bid to boost cultural interaction between Korea and Pakistan and responding to Prime Minister of Pakistan's initiative to promote religious tourism, particularly, Buddhist tourism in the country, over 60 members' delegation of Korean Buddhist pilgrims led by Ven. Wonhaeng, President of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism visited Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Korean Buddhist Pilgrims visited Pakistan 상세보기{{!}}Bilateral RelationsEmbassy of the Republic of Korea to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan|url=https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/pk-en/brd/m_21853/view.do?seq=35&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&multi_itm_seq=0&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&company_cd=&company_nm=|access-date=2021-12-02|website=overseas.mofa.go.kr}}</ref> Pakistan and Korea are exploring a plethora of avenues for cooperation in future, especially in Technology, trade, defense and R&D sector.

==Cooperation== Pakistani Ambassador to South Korea Nabeel Munir emphasized, during interview with Korean Media, the importance of economic cooperation between Pakistan and South Korea in trade, investment, and science and technology, citing South Korea's low birth rate as an example.

Nabeel Munir said in an interview with The Korea Times at the embassy in Pakistan in 2024:<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=March 22, 2024 |title=INTERVIEW |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/03/120_371157.html |work=The Korea Times}}</ref> {{blockquote|"The population is declining. Pakistan has another problem. 65 percent of 240 million are young people. They are between the ages of 19 and 35, so the young people are educated and trained, so the Korean economy can take advantage of them."|source=|author=}} ==Korean companies in Pakistan== Federal Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastgir visited South Korea in July 2015 and discussed bilateral trade and possibility of FTA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2015/07/05/business/dastgir-departs-for-south-korea-to-boost-bilateral-trade/|title=Dastgir departs for South Korea to boost bilateral trade|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-38483-Pakistan-S-Korea-likely-to-work-on-FTA|title=Pakistan, S Korea likely to work on FTA|access-date=29 April 2016|date=2015-07-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2015-07-16 |title=BoI organises business, trade investment forum in South Korea |url=http://www.brecorder.com/business-and-economy/189:pakistan/1208259:boi-organises-business-trade-investment-forum-in-south-korea/?date=2015-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917211439/http://www.brecorder.com/business-and-economy/189:pakistan/1208259:boi-organises-business-trade-investment-forum-in-south-korea/?date=2015-07-16 |archive-date=17 September 2016 |access-date=29 April 2016 |work=Business Recorder}}</ref>

South Korea has agreed to provide a loan of 78 million dollars for the construction of a tunnel in Malakand Pass. Feasibility report of the tunnel has been jointly prepared by National Highway Authority and South Korean consultants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/business/s-korea-to-provide-78-million-loan-for-malakand-tunnel-234/|title=S Korea to provide $ 78 million loan for Malakand Tunnel|work=Daily Pakistan Global|access-date=29 April 2016|archive-date=22 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422021726/http://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/business/s-korea-to-provide-78-million-loan-for-malakand-tunnel-234/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

30 years of Pak-Korea relations<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/06/19/business/30-years-of-pak-korea-relations/|title=30 years of Pak-Korea relations|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

=== Korean companies working in Pakistan ===

* DAEWOO * KEPCO (Electric).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://home.kepco.co.kr/kepco/EN/main.do|title=- KEPCO MAIN | KEPCO -|website=home.kepco.co.kr}}</ref><ref name="nation.com.pk">{{cite web|url=http://nation.com.pk/business/14-Feb-2015/korean-firm-gets-consultancy-contract-of-500kv-dasu-transmission-line|title=Korean firm gets consultancy contract of 500kv Dasu transmission line|date=14 February 2015|work=The Nation|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.customstoday.com.pk/kepco-ntdc-deal-to-build-500kv-dc-transmission-line-for-2160mw-power-26-project-sites-identified-2/|title=KEPCO, NTDC sign deal to build 500KV Dasu-Islamabad transmission line|author=Mati ur Rehman|work=Customs Today Newspaper|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="app.com.pk">{{cite web |url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60416 |title=Korean companies interested to construct Taunsa Barrage Hydropower Project |access-date=2015-08-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923173033/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60416 |archive-date=2015-09-23 }}</ref> National Transmission & Despatch Company Limited (NTDCL) and Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO) have signed a consultancy contract for designing, engineering and construction supervision of 500 Kv Dasu-Islamabad transmission line in Feb-2015.<ref name="nation.com.pk"/>

Sambu Construction Co. Ltd, KEPCO initiated a BOI Mahl Hydro Power Project (500 mW) at Mahl river, District Bagh, AJK in 2005. It was run-of-the-river power generation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kiani |first=Khaleeq |date=2009-12-21 |title=Bureaucracy stalls $800m hydel project |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/509848/bureaucracy-stalls-800m-hydel-project |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

FOUNDATION POWER COMPANY DAHARKI LIMITED (FPCDL) entered into an agreement with KEPCO KPS Plant Services and Engineering Company Limited of South Korea for Operation and Maintenance,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fpcdl.com.pk/|title=FPCDL|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> Kicked off the Daharki Cogen Power Plant O&M in Feb. 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kps.co.kr/eng/html/about/about_03_01_01.asp |title=KPS한전 KPS주식회사 |access-date=2015-08-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805193055/http://www.kps.co.kr/eng/html/about/about_03_01_01.asp |archive-date=2014-08-05 }}</ref>

In 2008, a delegation of the consortium of KEPCO and the DOOSAN of Republic of Korea had come to Islamabad with a very attractive offer to participate in power generation projects, but government response was lukewarm. After three years, Doosan and Kepco, in consortium with other Korean investors, have renewed their offer in a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on 21 January 2011.<ref>{{cite web |author= |title=Developing Thar coalfields for power generation |url=http://www.brecorder.com/articles-a-letters/single/626/0:/1237075:developing-thar-coalfields-for-power-generation/?date=2011-10-02 |access-date=29 April 2016 |work=Business Recorder |archive-date=2015-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925144939/http://www.brecorder.com/articles-a-letters/single/626/0:/1237075:developing-thar-coalfields-for-power-generation/?date=2011-10-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Korean M/s Sambu Construction Co. Ltd, Korea Midland Power Company Limited (KOMIPO) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) showed interest to construct Taunsa Barrage Hydropower Project (120 MW) on BOT basis with 100 percent financing of US$300 million in November 2008.<ref name="app.com.pk"/>

In September 2002, KEPCO showed interest in Rehabilitation, Operation, Maintenance and Management (ROMM)of 150 MW Fluidized Bed Combustion coal-fired power plant Lakhra near Khanote in District Jamshoro, Sindh. No interest from Pakistan government was noticed on it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findpk.com/yp/Hot-Products-Services-Details.asp?ComID=26782|title=AHMED JAFFER & COMPANY (PVT) LTD. (AJCL), Karachi - Hot & Popular Products / Services By Yellow Pages of Pakistan|first=Zahid Ikram...Webmasrer & CEO of CCOL|last=ceo@cybercity-online.net|website=www.findpk.com|access-date=2015-08-03|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013201/http://www.findpk.com/yp/Hot-Products-Services-Details.asp?ComID=26782|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the Sindh chief minister's visit to South Korea in 2011 an MoU to generate 2000 MW of wind energy was signed with Korea Southern Power Company. * Mira Power<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mira-power.com/|title=Welcome to Mira Power Limited Website}}</ref> Mira Power Limited is a special purpose company, set up to design, construct, own, operate and maintain 100 MW Gulpur hydro power plant under Government of Pakistan's Policy for Power Generation Projects 2002 as adopted in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Mira Power Limited is a subsidiary of Korea South East Power Co. Ltd (KOSEP)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kosep.co.kr/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813213513/http://www.kosep.co.kr/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2015|title=한국남동발전(주)|date=August 13, 2015}}</ref> which is fully owned subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Project shareholders are KOSEP<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kosep.co.kr/kosep/en/en_man.do|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712032808/http://kosep.co.kr/kosep/en/en_man.do|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2009|title=한국남동발전|date=July 12, 2009}}</ref> (76%), [http://eng.daelim.co.kr/ DAELIM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119140523/http://eng.daelim.co.kr/ |date=2016-01-19 }}(18%), [http://www.lottecon.co.kr/eng/ LOTTE] (6%).

Gulpur Hydropower Project: On 15 Oct 2015, Mira Power started construction of 102 MW Gulpur Hydropower project at Kotli, Azad and Jammu Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.dawn.com/?page=15_10_2015_016|title=ePaper - DAWN.COM|website=epaper.dawn.com|access-date=2019-08-10|archive-date=2019-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810223829/https://epaper.dawn.com/%3Fpage%3D15_10_2015_016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kotli Hydropower Project, Kotli District, Poonch River, AJK. In May, 2015, Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it will provide US$65 Million loan to Mira Power Limited, a South Korean Company, for build and operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/888499/addressing-shortages-adb-promises-65m-for-hydroelectric-power-project/|title=Addressing shortages: ADB promises $65m for hydroelectric power project|date=19 May 2015|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> Projected completion was in March 2019. * Hyundai Motors * Kia Kia is the third-largest carmaker in sales in Pakistan.<ref name=":0" /> * Samsung * LG * Lotte Group * Sambu Construction Co. Ltd Star Hydropower Limited (SHPL) and Sambu Construction Co. Korea initiated a Patring Hydropower Project (150MW) in 2005 at Patrind, AJK. The scope of project was diversion of Kunhar river water (KPK) to fall from height through a tunnel for power generation at AJK side. Its estimated cost was US$360 million with 25% equity and financing from IFC, Korean Exim Bank and IDB. * POSCO * CK Solar * K-Water – K-water (Public Sector Entity) and Sambu Construction Co., South Korea initiated a project in 2008 to construct a water supply line 200 million gallons/day from Tarbella to Islamabad & Rawalpindi with estimated cost of US$800 million. * Doosan * KORAIL * Doekjae * Shangyong * Wisdom * STX * Deokjae Construction * Sambo Engineering * Sambu Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. * Korea Construction Institute of Plant (KCIP) * SM Entertainment Pakistan * JYP Entertainment Pakistan * Cube Entertainment Pakistan

=== Korean Companies Looking for Opportunities ===

* Port Investment Co-operation Division<ref name="thenews31072015">{{cite news | author = | title = South Korea interested in Pakistan's port infrastructure | work = The News International | date = 31 July 2015 | url = http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-3-331508-South-Korea-interested-in-Pakistans-port-infrastructure... | access-date = 3 August 2015 }}</ref> * IL JIN International Co Ltd.<ref name="thenews31072015" /> * SEIL Engineering Company.<ref name="thenews31072015" /> * GIA Company.<ref name="thenews31072015" /> * [http://madinatrade7.en.ec21.com/ Madina Trading Co Ltd.].<ref name="thenews31072015" /> * Korea Ports and Harbours Association.<ref name="thenews31072015" /> * KEPCO (Nuclear).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/16_13.pdf?_=1316821617 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114914/http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/16_13.pdf?_=1316821617 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Overall Pakistan has supported a reunification of Korea.

==Software Technology Park in Islamabad== An agreement was signed in Islamabad on 21 March 2017, between Ministry of Information Technology and Korea Exim Bank for ten billion rupee loan agreement for Pakistan first state-of-the-art information technology park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=The Newspaper's Staff |date=2017-03-22 |title=South Korean bank agrees to give $76m for IT park |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1322070 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan, South Korea sign Rs10b loan agreement for IT Park in Islamabad |url=https://nation.com.pk/2017/03/21/pakistan-south-korea-sign-rs10b-loan-agreement-for-it-park-in-islamabad/ |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=Latest News - The Nation |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Role of the PKCC== Pak-Korea Culture Collaboration (PKCC) Is a group of Karachi-based young Pakistanis, seeking to enhance the cultural relations of Pakistan and the ROK. The youth have been greatly successful in their mission, collaborating with the Korean consulate in Karachi on several occasions to hold festivals and events. Bringing the two asian nations together culturally and bilaterally.

{{Foreign relations of Pakistan}} {{Foreign relations of South Korea}} {{Portal bar|Politics|Pakistan|South Korea}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Pakistan-South Korea relations}} Category:Pakistan–South Korea relations South Korea Category:Bilateral relations of South Korea