Ties that bind across a bridge A file photo of Malaysia Bridge in Paju Province, South Korea.
PETALING JAYA: Just an hour by road away from the South Korean capital, Seoul, lies a reminder of Malaysia’s once economic prowess.
Despite having gained independence less than a decade before, Malaysia was already rich enough to help “poor” South Korea.
In 1965, the country gave the Seoul government 5,000 Malayan dollars (the equivalent of RM28,000 today) to part finance the construction of a bridge in Paju province.
While the South Koreans are now way ahead of Malaysia in economic and infrastructure development, the bridge remains a symbol of friendship between the two countries.