VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) met with his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk-yeol, at the Yongsan Presidential Office, Seoul, on Thursday evening.



He was greeted by Yoon upon arrival, and then the two walked to the second floor of the office.



Yoon directed Widodo to fill the guest book and introduced South Korean delegates in attendance. The two state leaders then posed for a picture together.



According to a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat's press bureau and received here on Thursday, the two leaders held a limited meeting in a separate room before conducting a bilateral meeting with delegations from both countries.



During the meeting, President Yoon commended Widodo’s efforts to find solutions to global issues, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said.



"President Yoon expressed his appreciation for President Jokowi's leadership in trying to resolve global issues," she informed after the bilateral meeting.



Yoon said that Widodo’s visit to South Korea stressed the importance of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, which date back to 1973.



“Mr. President's visit shows the importance of relations between Korea and Indonesia. Ever since (the start of) the two countries' diplomatic relations in 1973, or last 50 years, (there has been) so much economic, trade, culture, people-to-people contact, diplomacy, and security improvement," President Yoon remarked.



Indonesia is the only country in Southeast Asia that has a special partnership with South Korea, he added. He then commended Indonesia's G20 presidency.




During the meeting, Widodo congratulated Yoon on his election as South Korean President. He said he believes that Indonesia and South Korea's bilateral relations will grow better under Yoon's leadership.



"Indonesia-South Korea relations have been very strong all along, of which based on special strategic partnership. However, there is still so much room to improve coordination. My visit this time will be used to improve cooperation, particularly in economic aspects," Widodo said.



After the bilateral meeting, the two leaders went to different rooms to observe the signing of some memorandums of understanding.




During the visit, Indonesia's Investment Ministry and South Korea's Trade, Industry, and Energy Ministry agreed to cooperate on sustainable green investment.



Indonesia's Public Works and Public Housing Ministry and South Korea's Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation Ministry agreed to collaborate on Nusantara capital city  development.



Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and South Korea's Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry entered into cooperation in maritime affairs. (Antaranews)