Rabb Majumder

Editor and Publisher of The Security World.

Bangladesh and Korea are charting a new chapter of cooperation, turning ambitious development goals into tangible outcomes through joint ventures in energy, infrastructure, ICT, and manufacturing. This partnership is accelerating growth, expanding opportunity, and strengthening regional resilience in a fast-changing South Korea.

As Korea’s strategic footprint grows in South Asia, Bangladesh stands at the center of a mutually reinforcing partnership that blends advanced technology, robust trade links, and transformative development aid. The Korea–Bangladesh relationship offers a compelling model of how two diverse economies can collaborate for shared prosperity in an era of climate challenge and global.

We are pleased to present the following interview with Korean Ambassador PARK Young Sik. The Ambassador shares insights on the evolving partnership between Korea and Bangladesh. The Ambassador also shares the state of bilateral ties and what the future holds for Korea and Bangladesh.

PARK Young Sik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

The following is an excerpt from the interview:

What have been the most rewarding moments in your service here?

Which challenges did you face, and how did you address them?

During my time in Bangladesh, I have witnessed both the resilience and dynamism of this country. It has been a privilege to work at a moment when Bangladesh is undergoing significant political, economic, and social transformation. A particular highlight of my tenure has been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, from senior government officials and business leaders to academics and civil society representatives, in order to deepen mutual understanding between our two countries.

The most rewarding moments were when we could translate our discussions into concrete outcomes. For example, I was especially pleased to see progress in policy dialogue on improving the business environment for foreign investors, including Korean companies, and in expanding development cooperation projects in areas such as ICT, health, and infrastructure. Meeting young Bangladeshis (students, entrepreneurs, and professionals) who are interested in Korea and wish to build bridges between our two countries has also been deeply inspiring.

Of course, there were challenges as well. Global economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and financial sector vulnerabilities in recent years created a difficult environment for both local and foreign businesses. In addition, the transition period following the change of government required careful and balanced diplomatic engagement. To address these challenges, we maintained close communication with both the Bangladeshi authorities and Korean stakeholders, consistently shared factual information, and sought pragmatic solutions that could serve the interests of both sides. Patience, transparency, and continuous dialogue were key to overcoming these difficulties.

How do you assess the state of Bangladesh–Korea relations during your tenure?

Korea and Bangladesh established diplomatic ties on December 18, 1973. Over the last five decades, our two countries have witnessed a remarkable journey of cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, development cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

Korea does not pursue strategic interests beyond our economic cooperation. Over the last fifty years, collaboration in the RMG sector has been a driving force behind our bilateral relations. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is now under negotiation, could serve as the next engine to take our partnership to new heights in the next fifty years.

Are there any particular cultural or social observations you’ll take with you from Bangladesh?

Bangladesh has a long tradition and rich Bengali culture, comprising art, music, and dance. There are also many indigenous cultures, particularly in and around the Chittagong Hill Tracts. From Korea’s experience, it would be beneficial for the Bangladeshi government to place greater emphasis on teaching art and music from the elementary school level.

I attended several meetings of the World Health Organization as the Director General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Health & Welfare. WHO has released guidelines on reducing the intake of salt and sugar in order to prevent the spread of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes. In view of these WHO guidelines, Bangladesh would benefit from gradually improving its dietary habits, while respecting its rich culinary traditions.

What initiatives or programs are you most proud to have contributed to?

I am particularly proud of our efforts to strengthen economic partnerships and improve the business environment for Korean investors in Bangladesh. This included close dialogue with relevant ministries and agencies on issues such as customs procedures, taxation, foreign exchange, and the repatriation of profits. Supporting Korean companies that have long been committed to Bangladesh, especially in the RMG, electronics, infrastructure, and power sectors, has been a central part of my work.

I also take pride in advancing discussions on the Korea–Bangladesh CEPA, which, once concluded, is expected to provide a more stable and predictable framework for trade and investment. In addition, our development cooperation projects such as capacity-building programs, scholarship opportunities, and technical assistance have helped foster human capital and institutional development.

In the field of public diplomacy, we organized various cultural and educational activities to introduce Korean culture and values to the Bangladeshi public, while also showcasing Bangladesh’s culture to Korean audiences. These initiatives, though sometimes small in scale, play a meaningful role in enhancing mutual understanding and goodwill between our peoples.

How has your experience in Bangladesh influenced your perspective on diplomacy?

My experience in Bangladesh has reinforced my belief that diplomacy must be both principled and pragmatic. On the one hand, we must firmly uphold universal values such as peace, human rights, and the rule of law. On the other hand, we must be sensitive to each country’s unique historical background, domestic situation, and development priorities.

Bangladesh is at a critical juncture, facing both significant opportunities and serious challenges. Working here has reminded me that economic diplomacy, development cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges are just as important as traditional political diplomacy. It has also shown me the importance of listening carefully to local voices, engaging a broad range of stakeholders, and building long-term trust rather than focusing only on short-term gains.

What advice would you give to your successor in continuing and expanding bilateral ties?

I would advise my successor to maintain close and regular communication with both the Bangladeshi government and the private sector, including business associations and civil society. It will be important to continue supporting Korean companies operating in Bangladesh while also exploring new areas of cooperation such as green energy, digital transformation, health, and education.

I would also encourage my successor to pay special attention to cultural and public diplomacy. Reviving and updating the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Exchange between our two countries, for example, would be a meaningful way to deepen mutual understanding. Finally, I would suggest maintaining a balanced, fact-based approach to rapidly changing regional and global developments, always seeking solutions that can benefit both Korea and Bangladesh.

What are your plans after retirement, and how do you hope to stay engaged with Korea–Bangladesh relations?

After serving more than 36 years as a career diplomat, I feel that it is the right time to take some rest. However, if I have a chance to stay engaged with Korea–Bangladesh relations, I would be ready to do so. In my initial thinking, I hope to help create Track 1.5 dialogues to discuss the current situation in the region and the world, and to reflect on the future of our bilateral relations together with the excellent experts and partners I met during my tenure in Dhaka.

Is there a message you’d like to share with the people and authorities of Bangladesh?

 Looking to the future, Bangladesh is marching towards graduation from LDC status in 2026. This means Bangladesh should focus not only on quantitative growth but also on the quality of that growth. Such quality of economic growth must be driven by innovation, knowledge, and technology. As far as I am aware, there are ongoing discussions on the possible deferral of LDC graduation. I believe that four years still remain for the preparation of this graduation (GSP benefits end in 2029), and Bangladesh should comply with international standards and embrace overseas competition in order to make its economy resilient and sustainable. Continued reforms in key sectors, including banking, energy, and taxation, are extremely important to avoid falling into the middle-income trap and to achieve continuous and prosperous growth.

Personal and Career Background

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in diplomacy?

Could you summarize your career path and key postings prior to Bangladesh?

My career focus on economic diplomacy and regional expert in South Asia and South East Asia. I worked at the embassies of Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia. I was also former Ambassador to Nepal. I worked in the divisions dealing with economic issues at the headquarters, including the CEPA negotiations with India. Therefore, when I listened to the news that I had been appointed as Ambassador to Bangladesh, I felt happy and thought that I would work with more confidence.

What personal values have guided your diplomatic approach?

Bangladesh–Korea Relations

How would you describe the evolution of Korea–Bangladesh relations over your tenure?

During my tenure, Korea–Bangladesh relations have become more diversified and future-oriented. While the RMG sector remains the backbone of our economic ties, we have increasingly seen cooperation expand into new areas such as electronics, automobiles, infrastructure, ICT, and renewable energy. Policy dialogue on improving the investment climate has also become more structured and regular.

At the same time, our development cooperation has evolved from basic infrastructure and capacity building to more sophisticated projects in areas like digital governance, skills development, and health. Overall, the relationship has moved from a primarily aid- and garments-based partnership to a more comprehensive and strategic economic relationship.

Dhaka, October 19, 2025 — South Korean Ambassador Park Young-sik reaffirms Seoul’s commitment to strengthening its 50-year partnership with Bangladesh, calling it “a remarkable journey of cooperation built on mutual trust, shared growth, and friendship.” Photo: BSS 

Which sectors (economic, cultural, educational, technological) saw the greatest progress or potential?

Economically, the greatest progress and potential lie in manufacturing diversification, infrastructure development, and ICT. Korean companies are already active in sectors such as electronics, shipbuilding-related components, and construction. With the right policies, Bangladesh can attract further Korean investment in high-value-added manufacturing and green technologies.

In education and human resources, scholarship programs, training courses, and exchanges between universities and research institutes have strong potential. In technology and digital transformation, there is room for closer cooperation in e-governance, fintech, and start-up ecosystems.

Culturally, K-culture including K-pop, Korean dramas, and Korean cuisine has gained popularity among Bangladeshi youth. This soft power can be further harnessed for mutual understanding, language learning, and tourism promotion.

What joint initiatives between our countries are you most proud of?

How have regional/global developments impacted your strategies here?

Leadership and Collaboration

How did you foster effective collaboration with Bangladeshi authorities and civil society?

Can you share a memorable collaboration with a Bangladeshi counterpart or institution?

One memorable example was working with Bangladeshi economic agencies and business associations to address practical issues faced by Korean investors. Through a series of meetings and consultations, we were able to identify specific bottlenecks and explore ways to streamline procedures. Even if all issues could not be solved immediately, the process itself helped build trust and contributed to gradual improvements.

Another meaningful collaboration was with academic and research institutions in organizing policy dialogues and conferences on topics such as LDC graduation, regional connectivity, and industrial upgrading. These events brought together experts from both countries and helped generate fresh ideas for future cooperation.

How do you approaches cultural diplomacy and public diplomacy in this post?

My approach to cultural and public diplomacy has been to focus on two-way exchange. While we introduced Korean culture through film screenings, food festivals, and cultural events, we also highlighted Bangladeshi culture in our outreach to Korean audiences. This mutual appreciation forms a stronger basis for friendship than one-sided promotion.

We also used public diplomacy to communicate Korea’s experiences in areas such as economic development, education, and healthcare, not as a model to be copied, but as a reference that Bangladesh could adapt to its own context. Engaging young people through social media, scholarship programs, and educational activities was particularly important.

Challenges and Learnings

What were the main challenges you encountered, and what lessons did you learn?

How did you adapt to changes in policy priorities or external pressures?

Legacy and Future

What do you hope will be the lasting impact of your tenure?

What guidance would you offer to your successor?

I would encourage my successor to further deepen economic partnerships, maintain close communication with both governments and the private sector, and continuously identify new areas of cooperation that reflect evolving global and local trends. I also wish my successor will focus on cultural exchange between two countries. The revival of MoU on Cultural Exchange is one of possible ways to enhance mutual understanding on each other’s culture.   

What are your personal plans after retirement, and how might you stay connected to Korea–Bangladesh ties?

I am closing my foreign services of 36 years and 7 months. After returning to Korea, I will take rest for the time being and explore to have a possible opportunity to teach at the university, reflecting my experience of foreign service. I can come back to Dhaka if I can. 1.5 track of dialogue is one of such opportunities.

Farewell and Messages

Do you have a message for the people of Bangladesh and for the Korean community here?

Most Koreans who ask me about Bangladesh are very surprised by the facts that Bangladesh is the 35th largest economy in the world and will emerge as the 9th largest purchasing power in the coming 2030. Main reasons for their surprised response come from their existing perception that Bangladesh is a poor and undeveloped country with highly dense population.

On the contrary, Bangladesh is enjoying the demographic dividend with young population, expanding its market on a huge scale, and has strategical location connecting South Asia and South East Asia. The important task is how to materialize the potentials of Bangladesh.

Therefore, Bangladesh can have a confidence about its economic size and potential. However, in order to fully realize Bangladesh’s potential for economic development, it is important to continue economic reforms such as financial sector, tax collection and reform, energy reform and the reduction of its subsidy, etc. Bangladesh also must further improve the business environment, particularly in areas such as timely visa issuance and renewal, smooth customs clearance, lower tariffs on raw materials and intermediate goods, prompt payment in U.S. dollars after project completion, and the ability to repatriate profits with ease.