President Lee Jae Myung (sitting in front of the Korean flag) and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (sitting in front of his national flag) on Oct. 27 hold a bilateral summit at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

By Kim Hyelin 

Photos = Yonhap News

President Lee Jae Myung has achieved results in his summits with Malaysia and Cambodia, namely the conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Kuala Lumpur and the launch of a joint task force with Phnom Penh to fight scams targeting Koreans.

He held his back-to-back meetings during his visit to Kuala Lumpur to attend summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said President Lee on Oct. 27 in his first summit with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the signing of their bilateral FTA.

The day before, Minister for Trade Yeo Han-Koo and Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul concluded negotiations on the deal in Kuala Lumpur and signed a joint declaration confirming the agreement.

Both sides expressed hope that the accord will expand trade and investment and expedite cooperation in strategic industries such as digital technology and artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister Anwar described Korea as "a reliable and important partner in strengthening Malaysia's defense capabilities," pledging expanded cooperation in the defense industry.

He and President Lee also agreed to raise future-oriented partnerships in sectors like the defense industry, smart infrastructure and energy transition.

President Lee also explained his government's efforts toward peace on the Korean Peninsula and requested Malaysian support.

Prime Minister Anwar responded by saying his country supports Korea's policy toward the peninsula and will cooperate with ASEAN and the international community.

President Lee Jae Myung (right) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Oct. 27 shake hands ahead of their bilateral summit at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Earlier that morning, President Lee in talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed on the immediate launch of a joint task force to protect Koreans from online scams. The body will start operations next month and determine as soon as possible the scale of Korean police deployment and operating methods.

President Lee also thanked Phnom Penh for its cooperation in repatriating Korean victims of scams and urged stronger bilateral cooperation in joint responses to transnational crimes.

Prime Minister Hun praised Seoul's swift response, saying, "Given the improved situation of public safety, we hope that Korea will ease its travel advisories for areas such as Phnom Penh."

Both leaders cited the rapid development of bilateral relations since the latter's resumption in 1997, and agreed to boost their strategic partnership especially through cooperation in fighting scams.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr