By Yeo Seung-bae

While commemorating my third and final year in Malaysia as Korean Ambassador, writing this article carries a special meaning for me as I reflect on moments of joy and connection while serving in this vibrant and dynamic country.

Since my arrival in October 2022, my wife and I have visited many states in Malaysia, tried a variety of local delicacies and have been exposed to cultural diversity. We had many occasions to engage with the local community and I am honoured to have had the opportunity to exchange views with people from various backgrounds.

The past three years have been a journey of deepening friendship and capturing the essence of ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’.

Malaysia is, in every sense, a nation of diversity. Malays, Chinese, Indians, and many other ethnic and religious communities live together in a shared social fabric. For Koreans – who come from a relatively homogenous society – this pluralism is especially striking.

Malaysia’s rich diversity reveals itself most vividly in its food, festivals, dances, and music. The cultural heritage carried by each community is a treasured national asset, and it is precisely this mosaic of traditions that fuels Malaysia’s potential to develop vibrant cultural content and expand its soft power on the global stage.

The coexistence of multiple ethnicities, religions, and cultures in Malaysia has a long history – one that predates the formation of the Malaysian federation itself.

The Peranakan attire displayed in the Melaka Museum, for instance, illustrates how different cultural strands have interacted and interwoven over centuries.

While some multicultural societies aspire to a majority-centred “melting pot”, Malaysia has instead chosen a model of coexistence that respects differences and embraces harmony – a true “mosaic society”.

Diversity and inclusivity in Malaysia have long been celebrated. The willingness of Malaysians today to acknowledge and appreciate one another’s differences reflects the foresight of the nation’s early leaders. Malaysia’s national motto, Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu (Unity Is Strength), symbolically captures the country’s past, present, and the vision toward which its future is directed.

On a personal note, I am particularly fond of rojak, a popular fruits and vegetables salad. Yes, it is from Malaysia. Its unique blend – mango, pineapple, cucumber, and other ingredients, tossed in shrimp paste dressing – creates a striking harmony of flavours. Refreshing, slightly spicy, and delightfully healthy, it perfectly suits my taste. I most often recommend it to visitors from Korea, who invariably respond with enthusiasm.

While each ingredient retains its own distinct taste, yet when you savour the salad in its entirety, it gives a deeper, more vibrant, sweet-and-tangy symphony. I would further describe rojak as a well-balanced delightful combination where no single flavour could offer alone.

In many ways, it mirrors Malaysia itself: a nation where diverse cultures come together to form something richer than the sum of its parts.

-- BERNAMA

H.E. Yeo Seung-bae is the Ambassador of South Korea to Malaysia.