Indonesian Minister Praises Defense Cooperation Including KF-21 Fighter Jet Project
Minister Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia fully supports defense and defense industry cooperation with Korea and will proceed with the next-generation fighter project without any setbacks, as confirmed in the summit between the two countries' leaders. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)
[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, who attended the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Cambodia, held talks with Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's Defense Minister, the day before.
According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 23rd, Minister Lee reminded that Indonesia is the only ASEAN country that has a special strategic partnership with Korea, recalling that during President Joko Widodo's visit to Korea in July, the two heads of state evaluated defense and defense industry cooperation as a core axis of bilateral relations.
He also highly appreciated the close cooperation between the two countries in areas such as participation in multilateral joint exercises including the Komodo exercise hosted by Indonesia, counter-terrorism cooperation, and defense industry cooperation projects including the KF-21 fighter jet, submarines, and helicopters.
Minister Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia fully supports defense and defense industry cooperation with Korea and will proceed with the next-generation fighter jet project without any setbacks, as confirmed in the bilateral summit between the two heads of state.
Minister Lee stated that Korea places great importance on Indonesia as a key defense cooperation partner country, and he expected that strengthening Indonesia's defense capabilities through defense industry cooperation between the two countries will contribute not only to strengthening the relationship between the two countries that share values but also to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He expressed Korea's intention to actively support Indonesia's chairmanship activities as the ASEAN chair country next year and requested Indonesia's cooperation in regularizing the 'Korea-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting.'
On the same day, defense minister talks between Korea and the Philippines and Korea and Vietnam were also held in succession. Minister Lee discussed major bilateral interests including regional security situations in a bilateral meeting with Jose Faustino, the Philippine Defense Minister. Minister Lee recalled that during the Korea-Philippines summit held on the occasion of the Korea-ASEAN summit, the two heads of state agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation as two countries sharing values in the Indo-Pacific region, and based on the consensus formed between the heads of state, he hoped to expand defense cooperation between the two countries at the defense minister level, including high-level personnel exchanges, expansion of joint exercises to enhance interoperability, and strengthening defense industry cooperation.
Minister Faustino introduced that the Philippines is pursuing modernization of its armed forces to defend its territory and enhance defense capabilities against external threats, and expressed expectations for cooperation with Korea in strengthening maritime security capabilities such as patrol vessels and in the process of promoting multi-purpose fighter jets.
During the talks, Minister Faustino expressed great concern about the recent security situation on the Korean Peninsula. He condemned North Korea's successive ballistic missile launches and pointed out that North Korea must comply with the obligations of the international community. Minister Lee emphasized that North Korea's provocations seriously undermine peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in Northeast Asia and the world, and stressed the importance of a united response through solidarity and cooperation with ASEAN countries to deter North Korea's provocations.
The Korea-Vietnam defense ministers discussed regional security situations including the Korean Peninsula and ways to revitalize defense exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. Minister Lee said that Vietnam is one of the key partner countries in Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy announced by President Yoon Suk-yeol at the Korea-ASEAN summit on the 11th of this month, and hoped to expand high-level exchanges, joint exercises, and defense industry cooperation between the two countries in the defense sector as well.
Minister Lee also requested cooperation from Minister Phan Van Giang for regularizing the Korea-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting. Minister Phan Van Giang proposed expanding high-level defense personnel exchanges, revitalizing defense industry cooperation, cooperation in mine clearance, and deepening Korea-ASEAN defense cooperation to elevate bilateral defense cooperation in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.
Minister Lee responded that he hopes to strengthen defense cooperation in areas such as maritime security, cyber security, defense industry, and logistics on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and expressed willingness to support mine clearance technology and equipment.
Minister Phan Van Giang also mentioned that the retired patrol vessels transferred by Korea to Vietnam so far have greatly contributed to strengthening Vietnam's maritime security capabilities and requested cooperation to ensure that the procedures for additional patrol vessel transfers proceed smoothly.
On the same day, Minister Lee explained efforts to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan to the defense ministers of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam and requested their support.
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