Only Two Days Apart: The Independence Stories of Indonesia and South Korea Meet in Jakarta
Indonesia and South Korea share an intriguing historical similarity. Both commemorate their independence in August of the same year, 1945, with dates only two days apart. Korea observes Gwangbokjeol, or National Liberation Day, every 15 August, while Indonesia celebrates its Independence Day on 17 August. In 2026, Indonesia marks 81 years of independence, as does South Korea.
This close timing is now highlighted through a historical photography exhibition titled “My Wish, Our Wish: Road to Freedom” at the ANTARA Heritage Center in Pasar Baru, Jakarta. The exhibition was opened by Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon on 12 August 2026 and organised by the Korean Cultural Center Indonesia (KCCI) in cooperation with the National News Agency Institution (LKBN) ANTARA. The exhibition provides a space to explore the historical journey, struggle, and hopes for freedom through photography and archives.
The exhibition is also held to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Kim Koo, one of the important figures in Korea’s independence struggle. His work is also part of the documentary heritage recognised in UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme.
The exhibition does not only present Korea’s struggle through Kim Koo. Various archives and documentation of Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence are also displayed, bringing together the journeys of two nations that both fought for their independence.
“Every nation certainly wants its nation to be independent. Kim Koo is an independence figure from South Korea. For us, there are Bung Karno and Bung Hatta, the proclaimers who proclaimed Indonesia’s independence in 1945,” said Fadli in an official statement quoted from the official website of Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture.
Fadli considers photography, documents, and manuscripts to be an important part of preserving a nation’s historical memory. Archives allow today’s society to understand past events again.
“We support activities that use historical archives, including photographs and documents, manuscripts, as part of efforts to continue remembering the past as part of understanding today. If there were no news and dissemination of information, there would be no evidence of the proclamation,” he said.
Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Indonesia Chung Hae-Kwan said Indonesia and Korea do have different traditions and cultural heritage. However, the two countries share an important similarity in their historical journey, namely the movement towards independence.
According to him, the choice of the ANTARA Building as the exhibition location also has its own significance. The building is part of Indonesia’s struggle history, especially in the dissemination of news about the Proclamation of Independence.
“Kim Koo is a very symbolic figure in the history of Korea’s independence movement. Although Indonesia and Korea have different traditions and cultural heritage, the two nations share one very important common historical heritage, namely the movement and proclamation of independence,” said Chung.
He hopes the exhibition will not only be a place to remember history, but also provide an opportunity for the younger generations of both countries to learn and carry on the spirit of their predecessors.
On the occasion, Fadli also encouraged the ANTARA Heritage Center to become a national cultural heritage site. He said such status could help ensure the building’s sustainable maintenance given its role as an asset inseparable from the nation’s struggle history, particularly in broadcasting news of the Proclamation.
The historical exhibition is also part of the growing cultural relations between Indonesia and South Korea. Fadli hopes cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and KCCI as well as Indonesia-South Korea relations can continue to be strengthened, especially in the fields of culture and the creative industry.
“We also hope that opportunities for cooperation with KCCI and Indonesia with Korea will continue to be established, especially in the cultural field towards the Cultural Creative Industry,” said Fadli.
The exhibition “My Wish, Our Wish: Road to Freedom” is open to the public from 13 to 31 August 2026 at the ANTARA Heritage Center, Jalan Antara, Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta.