Istanbul: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met in Seoul on Monday to announce the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. The announcement marks a significant step in enhancing the cooperation between the two nations. According to Anadolu Agency, a joint statement was released at the end of the bilateral meeting held in Seoul, aimed at 'signifying the commitment of both countries to expanding cooperation to new horizons so as to promote freedom, peace, and prosperity and to addressing the pressing challenges moving forward.' This strategic partnership aims to strengthen ties across several sectors. Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the key areas of the strategic partnership, which include political and security cooperation, economic cooperation, as well as cultural, educational, and tourism cooperation. Both countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in the public and private sectors. Additionally, they have expressed a strong stance against the actions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), condemning the launch of a ballistic missile on October 31, while addressing several other regional and global issues. The Malaysian Prime Minister, who is on an official visit to South Korea until Tuesday, described the visit as 'important,' noting the upcoming 'sapphire jubilee' in 2025, which Malaysia and South Korea will celebrate together. He emphasized the continuous efforts to strengthen the close cooperation between the two countries.