South Korea and Indonesia to Actively Seek New Cooperation in Shipbuilding and Supply Chains, Say Vice Foreign Ministers

South Korea and Indonesia have agreed to actively seek new cooperation in the shipbuilding and supply chain sectors, expanding beyond their existing collaboration in defense and the defense industry.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 15, Hongkyun Kim, First Vice Foreign Minister, visited Jakarta, Indonesia the previous day (local time) and held talks with Armanata Kristiawan Nasir, Vice Foreign Minister of Indonesia, to discuss these matters.

Hongkyun Kim, First Vice Foreign Minister (right), is greeting Armanata Kristiawan Nasir, Vice Foreign Minister of Indonesia, in Jakarta, Indonesia on the 14th (local time). Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The vice foreign ministers of both countries assessed that South Korea and Indonesia have cooperated in areas such as the economy, defense and the defense industry, and on the international stage. They also expressed confidence that, with South Korea's presidential election scheduled for early next month and Indonesia's new government having launched in October last year, the "Korea-Indonesia Special Strategic Partnership" will continue to develop under the new administrations of both countries, based on strong political trust built through frequent high-level exchanges. In particular, cooperation is expected in key policy areas of Indonesia's new government, including energy security, food security, downstream industry development, and human resource development.

Vice Foreign Minister Armanata recalled that President Prabowo stated during a meeting with a delegation from the Federation of Korean Industries in April that Indonesia would actively support Korean business activities. He added, "The Indonesian government will strengthen efforts to create a favorable environment for increased Korean investment in Indonesia and for the smooth operation of Korean businesses."

Meanwhile, Vice Foreign Minister Kim, referring to North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations and its illegal military cooperation with Russia, emphasized the need for the international community to maintain a unified response and called for Indonesia, a key ASEAN partner, to play an active role.