PRABOWO SEEKS STRONGER TIES ON FIRST STATE VISIT TO SOUTH KOREA

JAKARTA, April 1 (Bernama) -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has underscored his commitment to strengthening ties with South Korea during his inaugural state visit to the country, describing Seoul as a close partner and pushing for deeper bilateral cooperation.

Speaking at a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) on Wednesday, Prabowo said the visit holds strategic importance amid increasingly complex global dynamics.

“For me, this first state visit is very important. I consider Korea a close friend of Indonesia and I want to enhance this cooperation,” he said, in a statement released by Press, Media, and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat (BPMI Setpres).

Prabowo noted that both countries share common interests as Pacific nations with strong trade orientations, adding that their economies are well positioned to complement each other across strategic sectors.

The president highlighted South Korea’s strengths in industry, science, and technology, which could synergise with Indonesia’s abundant natural resources and large domestic market, creating opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration.

The Indonesian leader also expressed hope to elevate the existing special strategic partnership into a more comprehensive framework, urging ministers from both sides to accelerate efforts in realising expanded cooperation.

Meanwhile, Lee said both countries had previously agreed to elevate bilateral ties to the highest level, and Prabowo’s visit marked an important milestone towards achieving a “special comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Lee described Indonesia as a key partner in investment and industrial development. He highlighted ongoing cooperation in sectors such as electric vehicles and defence, and expressed optimism that both countries would continue to expand collaboration for mutual benefit.

At the meeting, Prabowo also witnessed the exchange of 10 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Indonesia and South Korea.

The MoUs covered key sectors including Economic Cooperation 2.0, critical minerals partnership, digital development, and collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) for primary healthcare and human development. The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in clean energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The agreements are expected to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two countries, while supporting inclusive economic growth, industrial resilience, and the transition towards a technology-driven and sustainable economy. 

In a separate event today, Prabowo was conferred South Korea’s highest national honour, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, by President Lee during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Seoul.

According to BPMI Setpres, the award, which is reserved for heads of state and their spouses, was presented in recognition of Prabowo’s contributions to strengthening bilateral ties and advancing cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea, including elevating relations to a Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

-- BERNAMA