Ban, Hassan spend much time together

JAKARTA: South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said his country and Indonesia maintained a very, very close relationship.

One may ask just how close the relationship is.

Ban told The Jakarta Post he met with Indonesian Foreign Minister five times in six months on various occasions.

Ban was appointed South Korea's foreign minister in January 2004.

Ban and Hassan know very well how to strengthen ties between the two countries. Both were career diplomats prior to their appointments as foreign ministers. -- JP