Prabowo Receives Mugunghwa Award from South Korea
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has awarded Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto the highest honour, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa. Prabowo received this award at an event held in the Garden of Sangchungjae, Presidential Palace of the Republic of Korea, on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
The bestowal of this honour is part of Prabowo’s state visit to the Land of Ginseng. Citing a written statement from the Presidential Secretariat, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa is South Korea’s highest national award, specifically given to the President of the Republic of Korea and their spouse, as well as heads of state or former heads of state from friendly nations and their spouses.
This award is granted for extraordinary services in supporting the development and security of the Republic of Korea.
“On this occasion, the Government of the Republic of Korea awarded the honour to President Prabowo as a form of appreciation for his contributions and role in strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Republic of Korea, including elevating the status of the partnership between the two countries to a special comprehensive strategic partnership,” the statement from the Presidential Secretariat reads.
The award received by President Prabowo consists of several honour attributes, including a badge in the form of a ribbon, collar (necklace), star (brooch), and lapel badge (pin). All attributes are made of precious metals and adorned with gemstones.
Since it was first awarded in 1949, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa has been given to more than 100 world figures.
Notable recipients include South Korea’s first president, Syngman Rhee (1949); King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan (1983); Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (1986); Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (2007); French President Emmanuel Macron (2018); and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (2023).
Meanwhile, national figures who have received the Grand Order of Mugunghwa include Indonesia’s second president, Soeharto, and his wife, Siti Hartinah, known as Tien Soeharto, as well as the sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
During this state visit to the Republic of Korea, President Prabowo Subianto stated that South Korea is a close friend of Indonesia. Yesterday, Prabowo met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in a bilateral meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, also known as the Blue House—the name for the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Korea.
In his opening remarks, Prabowo emphasised that his first state visit to South Korea reflects Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening the established partnership. For the Head of State, this visit to the Land of Ginseng is important. “I consider Korea a close friend of Indonesia, and I want to enhance this cooperation,” Prabowo said, quoted from the Presidential Secretariat’s statement.
Prabowo highlighted that long-term relations between countries are inseparable from various dynamics, including potential differences in perspectives. Nevertheless, he views openness and honesty as key to maintaining constructive relations.
According to the Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea share common interests, particularly as countries in the Pacific region and trade-oriented. “We need good relations for the economic welfare of both our countries, and perhaps we have complementary roles,” he said.
Prabowo opined that South Korea’s advancements in industry, science, and technology can synergise with Indonesia’s strengths in abundant natural resources and a large market.