A Korean TikToker exploring Paju, South Korea got a rather unexpected surprise a bridge with a name that sounded very familiar to anyone from this side of the Causeway.
Malaysia Bridge.
Yep. You read that right.
Not Malaysia.
Not Johor.
Not even Southeast Asia.
Korea.
The TikToker’s surprised reaction essentially wondering why Malaysia has a bridge in Korea has left viewers amused and curious about how the landmark got its name.
And before Singaporeans start saying,
Wah, Malaysia got overseas expansion already ah?”
there is actually some history behind it.
Malaysia Bridge is located in Paju, a city in Gyeonggi Province close to the heavily fortified border between South and North Korea.
The name isn’t some random Korean tribute to Malaysia.
It is connected to Malaysia’s involvement in the Korean War.
During the conflict, soldiers from the then Federation of Malaya served alongside Commonwealth forces as part of the wider military effort supporting South Korea.
The Korean War began in 1950 when North Korean forces crossed into South Korea. The conflict eventually involved forces from numerous countries under the United Nations Command.
For younger Malaysians and Singaporeans, this is probably not something that comes up in everyday conversation.
Which makes the TikTok discovery even more interesting.
Imagine casually scrolling TikTok and suddenly learning that there is a Malaysian-named landmark near one of the world’s most tense borders.
Plot twist: Malaysia was already in Korea decades before K-dramas took over Southeast Asia.
The location itself also adds another layer to the story.
Paju is situated near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the buffer zone separating North and South Korea. The area has become a major historical and tourist destination, with visitors coming to see landmarks connected to the Korean conflict and the divided Korean Peninsula.
So what looks like a random bridge with a familiar Southeast Asian name actually carries a piece of wartime history.
Watch the video here:
@wonhoho0504 Malaysia has a bridge in korea malaysiabridge #malaysiakorea🇲🇾🇰🇷 #koreaninmalaysia #wonhoho
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