KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) — “Learning a language is very difficult, but fun!”
This was the spirited message delivered by a diplomat at the closing ceremony of a Korean language course for officers of the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) and the Airport Management Centre (AMC), held here on Thursday.
“.. your enthusiasm toward Bahasa Korea is really admirable,” said South Korea‘s Ambassador to Malaysia Yeo Seung Bae, in appreciation of the 21 officers who took time to learn at the course.
The course, conducted by the Korean Education Centre, was intended to help JIM and AMC officers better understand the country and promote closer exchanges of views between the two countries.
To better communicate with Malaysians and make friends, Yeo, on his part, said he made an effort to learn Bahasa Melayu.
“But after learning a new word, the next day I would forget two! Or maybe my brain needed some rest,” he said in jest, adding that it is difficult to learn a new language.
Despite the challenges, he believed that learning Korean is rewarding as it enables one “to interact with Korean speakers with deeper cultural understanding as language is an important aspect of culture.”
Highlighting the significance of the event, Yeo noted that it came at the start of a new phase in Korea-Malaysia relations.
South Korea had just gained a new administration. The occasion was marked by a phone call between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and a visit by a special presidential envoy.
“With the new administration’s commitment to strengthening Korea-Malaysia relations, the number of Korean visitors to Malaysia is expected to rise even more.
“And, to these Korean visitors, you are the very first people that they meet when they enter Malaysia. You are the face of Malaysia, and the impression you leave shapes how they perceive this country,” he told the course participants.
Sharing his experience as a diplomat, Yeo said he had visited many countries, but still felt nervous at immigration counters, worried if any problem might arise.
“I believe ordinary Korean travellers at KLIA feel the same way.
“In such moments, please kindly greet visitors with a warm smile and say “안녕하세요” which means “Salam Sejahtera” and “감사합니다” meaning “Terima kasih” as you have learned in the Korean language course.
Yeo said this can help reassure Korean visitors that they are indeed in Malaysia, Truly Asia and encourage more Koreans to visit Malaysia.
Noting the close ties between Korea and Malaysia, Yeo revealed that last year, about 300,000 Malaysian tourists visited Korea, putting Malaysia 11th among international travellers to Korea.
“Also, around 470,000 Koreans visited Malaysia, making Malaysia the 10th most popular destination for Korean tourists,” he added.
Yeo acknowledged that although the 10-week Korean language course was a bit short, it can contribute to deepening the friendship and goodwill between the two countries.
The closing ceremony was attended by JIM’s Director of Foreign Workers Division, Ayub Abd Rahman, and Deputy Commander of AMC, Mohamad Nurzaini.
— BERNAMA
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