VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

North Korea confirmed on Monday (31/1) that they tested their intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), Hwasong-12 on Sunday (30/1). Therefore, Pyongyang had made a record of seven missile launches in just a month -January 2022. This was the biggest missile launch since 2017 and caused concern among the international communities, mainly the US, South Korea, Japan, and other countries, including the United Nations.

This concern was not baseless. With their full power, this missile can fly across thousands of miles, reaching beyond South Korea and Japan, even to Guam that belongs to the US military base. Therefore, the US - supported by England and France - had requested the UN Security Council to have a closed meeting this Thursday (03/02) to discuss the IRBM launch by North Korea.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres on Tuesday (1/2) condemned the launch and urged North Korea to stop taking the counter-productive act further. According to a UN spokesperson, Farhan Haq, the act by Pyongyang violated the moratorium announced by the country in 2018 about similar launchings and a resolution of the UN Security Council.

Since 2006, North Korea has been given sanction by the UN, which was strengthened by the Security Council for years in a bid to target the funding of Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. But why does North Korea still dare to continue their missile test?

According to Prof. Kim Dong Yup –a former South Korean Navy Commander - the launch by North Korea was a show that the country is moving fast to an effective and total nuclear defense capability. After the missile tests on January 5 and 10, Pyongyang claimed to successfully test hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) and maneuverable reentry vehicle (MARV).

He affirmed that North Korea is developing a technology that can defeat the expensive and complex missile defense system of the US and Japan in the Korean Peninsula. However, the main target of North Korea is not oriented to other countries, but to their own defense.

We can only hope that this view is right and in line with what is planned by North Korea. Otherwise, the crisis in the Korean Peninsula can get worse.

Peace is always beautiful. Although not without conflict, peace is an ability to handle a conflict in a peaceful way.

Indonesian Ambassador to China, Djauhari Oratmangun is proud that painters from Indonesia are always involved in the painting exhibition "Beijing International Art Biennale". He said in Beijing on Tuesday (1/2) that since this event started in 2002, Indonesian artists have always been chosen to present their best works.  According to the ambassador, in the current situation, artwork has become a channel for people to unite against the pandemic and calm their emotions. The Beijing Biennale is not only a great platform to celebrate beautiful and meaningful works of art from around the world, but also a useful platform to show humanity's hope for a better future post-pandemic.

The exhibition entitled "Light of Life" aims to ignite the spirit of anti-epidemic and the spirit of the Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022. A total of six paintings by Indonesian painters, namely Mas Hedi Suryatna entitled "Fighting Coronavirus", Antonius Kho (Safe Our Generation), Lutfi Yanuar (Eclectic Identity), Rusli (Struggle and Hope), Dicky Takndare (the Return of Manamarkeri), and Sih Elsiwi Handayani Oratmangun (Heading Towards Perfection) are chosen to be exhibited at the event. These six painters are selected by curators from Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Chinese Artists Association (CAA), Ma Fenghui said that at this year's exhibition, there are 573 artists from 117 countries whose works are selected to be included in the event. He hopes that the event will be a bridge between the East and West while uniting elements of traditional and modern arts. The biennial event is held from January 21 to February 15, 2022 in line with the Lunar New Year holiday season.

Mojokerto City in East Java province is known to store not only Majapahit heritage sites, such as Trowulan, but also other interesting tourism attractions, such as Bukit Kayoe Putih in Mojokerto. This tourism spot offers a beautiful natural panorama. At sunset, its beauty is presented against the backdrop of three mountains, namely Mt .Penanggungan in Mojokerto, Mt. Welirang in Blitar, and Mt Arjuno. Bukit Kayoe Putih is precisely located in Jetis District, Mojokerto Regency, East Java Province. The distance from the center of Mojokerto Regency to Bukit Kayoe Putih is about 10.5 kilometers and takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes by motor vehicles.

The name, Bukit Kayoe Putih is inspired by the contours of the land, which is filled with eucalyptus plants. To enter this attraction, you have to pay an entrance ticket worth Rp. 5,000 for children and for adults, the fare is Rp. 10,000 per person. Traveling here, you can enjoy all the views of Bukit Kayoe Putih, namely the beauty of three mountains in East Java. In addition, you can also enjoy rides at Bukit Kayoe Putih, such as a swimming pool, selfie spots, and a food court selling East Java specialties. The swimming pool at Bukit Kayoe Putih is specially made for children. So, its depth is only 60 centimeters (cm). Parents who accompany their children can sit and relax in the tent around the swimming pool.

This year, Bukit Kayoe Putih provides education on the manufacture of eucalyptus oil in collaboration with Perum Perhutani. Next, you can learn directly the process of making eucalyptus oil while enjoying the view. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Bukit Kayoe Putih implements strict health protocols. Those of you who come are required to show a Covid-19 vaccine certificate and scan the PeduliLindung application. The management limits the number of visitors to Bukit Kayoe Putih to around 1,000 people per day.

Along with Surakarta City (Solo), Yogyakarta is the origin of civilization in the Land of Java. This city was once the throne that built the magnificent Borobudur and Prambanan temples in the 8th and 9th centuries when the Mataram kingdom in the 16th and 17th centuries reigned. Yogyakarta was once known for its slogan "Jogja, the Never ending Asia", because of its extraordinary charm. Now, Yogyakarta, which is also one of the provinces in Indonesia, is known as “Jogja Istimewa” or in English means “Jogja is Special” because of its beautiful values. This city is one of several cultural centers in Indonesia. Visitors can explore this city by walking along the Keraton Museum (Sultanate palace), hanging out at the City Square, seeing the firsthand process of making silver jewelry in Kotagede, and shopping at Malioboro.

To enjoy the delicacy of Yogyakarta specialties, don't forget to try Gudeg, a special concoction of traditional Javanese recipes that have become the city's trademark. Don't forget to try Bakpia, a traditional snack with lots of interesting flavors, which is popular as a souvenir. For the health drink, you can try Jamu, a traditional herbal drink that is a mixture of various kinds of nutritious plants that are often used for natural remedies.

In Yogyakarta, there are also many adventures that you can explore, such as Mt. Merapi National Park, the fun of driving a jeep along the hiking trail, and climbing Mt. Nglanggeran, an ancient volcano. Yogyakarta is a city with many impressive attractions to enjoy. This makes Yogyakarta the second most visited destination by tourists after Bali.