Indonesia, South Korea Upgrade Strategic Partnership
Jakarta. Indonesia and South Korea agreed to boost mutual cooperation in economy, transportation, industrialization and defense through the special strategic partnership agreement that was upgraded during a meeting between President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and President Moon Jae-in in Bogor, West Java on Thursday (09/11).
"The special strategic partnership places greater emphasis on concrete cooperation for the benefit of our countries and people in various fields, particularly in key industries and infrastructure," the leaders said in a joint statement.
The partnership aims to accelerate industrialization in Indonesia, increase economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Moon said the partnership will include joint defense meetings and cooperation in the defense industry, particularly in the development of fighter jets.
The leaders also agreed to explore a triangular cooperation framework and hold a "two-plus-two" meeting involving foreign and defense ministers.
Indonesia and South Korea established diplomatic ties in 1973.
Jokowi and Moon promised to have a bilateral trade volume of $30 billion in 2022.
During the meeting, Jokowi and Moon also witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding in the sectors of industry, transportation and health.
On people-to-people exchanges, Indonesia and South Korea agreed to intensify cooperation and promote bilateral tourism by facilitating more direct flights and simplifying visa procedures for Indonesian tourists.
Moon's visit to Indonesia is his first to Southeast Asia since taking office. He is scheduled to continue his trip to Vietnam and the Philippines, and to attend two regional cooperation summits — of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — to bolster diplomatic ties with Asean members in what he refers to as the "New South Policy."
According to South Korea's news agency Yonhap, Moon's trip also aims to garner support for Seoul in putting more pressure on North Korea.
Jokowi and Moon "reaffirmed their support for the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" and further urged North Korea to comply with its obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
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