Indonesia, South Korea Agree to Enhance Diplomatic Relations

VIVA – The Indonesian Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia accompanied President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in welcoming the South Korean delegation at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday. 

The minister said that the governments of Indonesia and South Korea agreed to improve and continue diplomatic relations between the two countries which will reach 50 years.

"The relationship between both countries is very good, marked by various economic policies, one of which is related to trade and investment," Minister Lahadalia stated in his statement after the meeting.

The minister also said that both countries are seeking that the trade balance must continue to be improved. 

In this regard, President Widodo asked for access to exports of several Indonesian commodities to South Korea to be opened, especially food commodities.

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Menteri Investasi/Kepala BKPM, Bahlil Lahadalia.

Photo :

• VIVA/Mohammad Yudha Prasetya

"Mr. President asked for access to exports of our commodities, especially food commodities to be opened, oranges and then several other superior commodities," the minister informed. 

During the meeting, South Korea's Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MoTIE) also said that next year Indonesia will become the first Southeast Asian country to produce an electric car ecosystem whose batteries are produced directly from Indonesia, Minister Lahadalia added. 

"So next year we will already have a car battery product that was groundbreaking by Mr. President in Karawang one year ago," Minister Lahadalia said. 

During the meeting, the South Korean delegation included Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Chung Hwang-keun, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Jang Youngjin, South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Sang-deok, and several South Korean company leaders.

Meanwhile, President Jokowi was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia, and Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto.

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During the meeting, South Korea's Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MoTIE) also said that next year Indonesia will become the first Southeast Asian country to produce an electric car ecosystem whose batteries are produced directly from Indonesia, Minister Lahadalia added.