Pakistan, South Korea Move to Establish ‘Knowledge Corridor’ to Boost Education and Cultural Ties

Pakistan and South Korea are working towards establishing a Pakistan–Korea Knowledge Corridor aimed at expanding educational, cultural, and people-to-people ties, Pakistan’s Ambassador to South Korea Syed Moazzam Shah said on Wednesday.

The announcement was made during an international hybrid seminar titled “Pakistan–South Korea Relations: Expanding Cultural and Educational Connectivity”, hosted by the Consortium for Asia-Pacific and Eurasian Studies (CAPES) in Islamabad. The seminar brought together ambassadors, academics, policy experts, and practitioners from both countries to explore avenues of cooperation beyond traditional economic engagement.

Speaking at the event, CAPES President Khuram Iqbal emphasized the growing role of public diplomacy in strengthening Pakistan–South Korea relations. He noted that an increasing number of Pakistani students are seeking higher education opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, with China, Australia, Japan, and South Korea emerging as preferred destinations due to their innovation-driven economies and globally competitive universities.

Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Syed Moazzam Shah said that both countries are actively collaborating on the proposed Knowledge Corridor to institutionalize academic exchange and long-term educational cooperation. He informed the audience that around 1,600 Pakistani students are currently enrolled in South Korean universities, a figure expected to rise significantly in the coming years.

To address language barriers, the ambassador said, the Punjab government in collaboration with the Korean Embassy has established four Korean language centers in Lahore. He also highlighted enhanced labor cooperation, noting that South Korea has increased its quota for Pakistani unskilled workers from 4,200 in 2024 to 5,400 in 2025.

Pakistan’s Defence Attaché, Asif Mehmood, told participants that representatives from more than a dozen South Korean universities would visit Pakistan in April to take part in Pakistan–Korea education expos in Islamabad and Lahore. He also revealed that work is underway on a Kartarpur-style corridor to promote religious tourism at Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage sites.

Providing historical context, former ambassador to South Korea Masood Khalid recalled Pakistan’s support for South Korea during the Korean War. He added that both countries are members of the United for Consensus group at the United Nations, which advocates the expansion of non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

The academic session featured contributions from Pakistani and Korean scholars who highlighted education and culture as key drivers of bilateral engagement. Mun Yong Jo, President of the International Interchange Development Association, stressed the importance of digital connectivity in expanding access to Korean language education in remote areas of Pakistan. He said Pakistan’s human and natural resources, combined with South Korea’s technological and economic expertise, present strong prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Meanwhile, Choi Jong In, Vice President of Tongwon University, South Korea, announced plans to establish a university campus in Lahore as part of the Pakistan–Korea Knowledge Corridor initiative.

Other speakers included Dr. Sobia Hanif of Fatimah Jinnah Women University, Dr. Hyang Joo Lee of Pukyong National University, Dr. Mahmood Awan of SolBridge International School of Business, Dr. Adeel Irfan Rao of the University of Sargodha, and Dr. Ahtisham Hussain, former head of the Department of Korean Language and Culture at NUML.

The seminar concluded with a consensus that structured academic collaboration and cultural connectivity could play a pivotal role in deepening Pakistan–South Korea relations in the coming years.