Indonesia-South Korea Strengthen Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The Indonesian government and South Korea have announced the strengthening of the Special Strategic Partnership into a Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to realise inclusive growth and shared prosperity for both countries in the future. “Both leaders announced the elevation of the Special Strategic Partnership to a Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the future,” according to the joint statement from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The joint statement from the two national leaders was issued on the portal of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (8/4), following the state visit of Indonesia’s 8th President Prabowo Subianto to South Korea from 31 March to 1 April, at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung. During the state visit, Prabowo and Jae Myung announced the elevation of the Special Strategic Partnership to a Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and praised the expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields, including diplomacy and security, economy, culture, people-to-people exchanges, as well as regional and international issues, since diplomatic relations were established in 1973. The two national leaders also noted that the partnership between South Korea and Indonesia has made significant contributions to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity. In this regard, they are determined to work closely together on the five pillars of cooperation achieved to advance their shared vision of realising a stronger, more beneficial, and innovative partnership; thereby enhancing the welfare and prosperity of the people in both countries. The five pillars of cooperation include political and security cooperation; trade, investment, and industrial cooperation; advanced technology, energy transition, and green economy cooperation; socio-cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges; and regional and global cooperation. On the pillar of trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, the two national leaders acknowledged that economic cooperation has been the driving force behind the mutually beneficial relations between Indonesia and South Korea. They pledged to further strengthen cooperation to promote private sector economic collaboration in both countries. Prabowo and Jae Myung also committed to encouraging two-way investment increases, including quality investments that support value creation and knowledge sharing for mutual benefit. In addition, they committed to expanding bilateral trade volumes while emphasising the importance of creating a stable, beneficial, and predictable business environment for companies. The two leaders expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in strategic economic sectors that contribute to economic growth and long-term development, including advanced manufacturing, automotive, steel, machinery, semiconductors, critical minerals and rare earth elements, shipbuilding, and maritime industries. In the field of advanced technology, energy transition, and green economy cooperation, they acknowledged that artificial intelligence (AI) is a universal right for all people and not a privilege for certain groups. By integrating AI ecosystems in Indonesia and South Korea, the two presidents aim to address global challenges in health, education, food security, governance, and other strategic sectors. On the pillar of socio-cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, the two leaders underscored the importance of cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in culture and the creative industry, including the establishment and operation of the High-Level Creative Industry Cooperation Committee between the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and Indonesia’s Ministry of Creative Economy. On the pillar of regional and global cooperation, Prabowo appreciated South Korea’s steadfast support for ASEAN Centrality, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plan, as well as ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). He also welcomed South Korea’s intention to host the ASEAN-South Korea Commemorative Summit in 2029. Prabowo and Lee Jae Myung agreed to work closely to strengthen meaningful, substantive, and mutually beneficial ASEAN-South Korea cooperation, as well as to bolster regional cooperation to address transnational crime of common concern.