India-South Korea relations : President Park Guen- Hye visit

Relations between Republic of India and Republic of Korea date to 48AD. According to ‘Samguk Yusa’, princess of Ayodhya – Suriratna went to Korea and married King Kim – Suro and became Queen Hur Hwang – ok. Since then it is said there has been many visits from both the sides and only in 1973 that diplomatic relations between both the nations started. However relations seem to be relatively limited.

 

The expanding relations with India are a major economical and political priority for South Korea. Mostly relationship is driven by economics and common interests. Much of economic investments of South Korea are drained into China but South Korea is fifth largest source of investment in India.

 

India played a positive role in Korea’s internal affairs during 1948. Mr. Menon who led a 9 member UN mission to held elections in Korea in 1948 successfully held them in 1948 and since then Korea became Republic of Korea. Interestingly during Korean War of 1950 – 1953, Koreans accepted a resolution sponsored by India and also many medical troops were deployed during the war. India still stands for a unification of Korea.

 

Both the nations have a common hatred towards China for it supporting Pakistan and North Korea. When India and South Korea are working towards non proliferation of nuclear arms, Pakistan and North Korea are working on weapons of mass destruction. However it is much an anticipated threat to both India and South Korea some day.

 

A poem by Rabindranath Tagore acclaiming Korea
“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”

 

Relations between Republic of India and Republic of Korea can be studied under various heads. But here are few snippets of them.

 

• Republic of South Korea is one of first countries to respond to India’s attempts to open economy in East Asia.
• South Korea is top – 10 source of FDI in India. South Korean steel giant Posco at Paradip, Odisha to construct an integrated mining and steel production plant is the single largest foreign investment in India ever and largest foreign investment ever undertaken by a South Korean firm. Its investment is $12 billion.
• India exports mineral oils, raw ore and cotton and imports electrical machinery, steel and nuclear related technology.
• Republic of India and Republic of Korea have entered to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) of Comprehensive Economic Program Agreement (CEPA) to eliminate 85% to 90% of tariffs on bilateral trade by 2019 and to liberalize Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
• There are eight thousand Indians in Republic of Korea and four thousand South Koreans in India.
• Recently Indian Cultural Center (ICC) was established in Seoul and Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in New Delhi to promote each other’s culture.
• In 2010, South Korean President, Mr. Lee was invited for Republic Day celebrations as guest of honor. During this visit, relations between Republic of India and Republic of Korea rose to strategic level.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Defense Acquisition and Program Administration (DAPA).
• Other relations include good air connectivity, educational relations, visits of IAS and IFS probationers, thirst for knowing Korean language by Indians and vice versa, Indian students being sent on study visas, fellowships & scholarships, Ayurveda, Yoga and tourism.

 

2014 VISIT BY PARK GUEN – HYE:

1. Political and Security Co operation:
a. Regular meetings and mutual visits
b. Holding joint commission regularly
c. Regular dialogue on bilateral security
d. Continuing of deputy defense minister level strategic dialogue on regular basis
e. Exchanges between the armed forces
f. Potential for enhanced co operation for mutual benefits in defense.

2. Economic and Trade Co operation:
a. Establishment of CEO’s forum to enhance economic cooperation. 
b. Establishment of $200 million interbank Export Credit Line between SBI and Export – Import Bank of Korea.
c. Establishment of India – Republic of Korea Joint Trade and Investment Promotion Committee.
d. Exploring the possibility of establishing Korean Industrial Park in Rajasthan, India.

3. Science and Technology:
a. Memorandum of Understanding signed on a Joint Applied Research and Development Program in Science and Technology and contribution of $5 million by each towards this.
b. Strengthening co operation in Information Technology.  
c. Agreement between ISRO and Korean Aerospace Research Institute for cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
d. India shall launch Korean satellites on commercial basis. 
e. Co operation in Nuclear Technology.

4. Social and Cultural Co operation:
a. Easing visa process
b. ICC and KCC events

5. Co operation in the regional and International arena:
a. Co operation on climate change, disaster management, terrorism, non – conventional threats and cyber attacks.
b. Launch of cyber affairs dialogue for security.
c. Adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Tourism.
d. Efforts to achieve sustainable peace and stability.

 

LIST OF DOCUMENTS SIGNED
1. Agreement on the protection of classified military information.
2. Implementing agreement between ISRO and KARI for co operation in peaceful use in the outer spce.
3. MoU on a joint applied R & D program in Science and technology.
4. Cultural exchange for the years 2014 – 2017.
5. MoU on establishment of Nalanda University to co operate in reviving Nalanda University as an international institution to realize unity of minds.
6. Agreement on co operation between Doordarshan and Arirang TV.
7. Joint declaration on cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technology.
8. MoU on co operation and information exchange for development of an arrangement for mutual recognition of certifying authorities.
9. MoU on co operation in field of cyber security.