Prabowo's Desire for More K-Pop Concerts in Indonesia
President Prabowo Subianto is said to want singers and music groups from South Korea, commonly known as K-Pop, to hold concerts more frequently in Indonesia. Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that this was discussed by Prabowo during his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
“And yesterday, in a conversation, it was conveyed specifically to K-Pop fans that the President plans to increase the number of concerts for K-Pop enthusiasts,” said Sugiono during a discussion at the Presidential Staff Office, Bina Graha Building, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/4/2026).
Sugiono admitted that he had only recently learned that there are Indonesian citizens who are also members of K-Pop groups in South Korea. He apologised for only finding out about it now.
“Because it turns out there are also, I only just found out, Mr. KSP, members of groups there who are Indonesians. Forgive my ignorance,” he said.
Sugiono stated that Prabowo’s overseas visits result in cooperation for national interests. Including, he said, matters that can be directly felt by the Indonesian people.
“But of course, once again, this visit is one where we want to produce something that is directly felt by the Indonesian people from our relations with various countries in the world,” he said.
It is known that Prabowo met with President Lee on Wednesday (1/3/2026) at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Korea, Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House). The meeting began with a state ceremony welcoming Prabowo, followed by bilateral talks and a lunch banquet.
During the lunch banquet, Indonesian member of the K-Pop group Hearts2Hearts, Carmen, was present. This caught the attention of Prabowo and President Lee.
The three of them then took a photo together, compactly making the finger heart symbol. That pose is often used by K-Pop idols for their fans.
Prabowo Wants to Send Indonesians to Join Russia’s Cosmonaut Programme
In addition to the South Korea visit, Sugiono also explained Prabowo’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Sugiono said that Prabowo and Putin discussed space cooperation. He stated that Prabowo plans to send Indonesia’s best sons and daughters to participate in Russia’s cosmonaut programme.
“Other matters discussed also concern cooperation in the fields of science and technology, and space. The President also conveyed the possibility for Indonesia to send selected and best individuals to join Russia’s cosmonaut programme,” said Sugiono.
He said that this step is an effort to strengthen the competence of Indonesia’s human resources in the high-tech sector. He stated that space exploration is one parameter of technological superiority.
“Because this is a parameter that a country has superiority in technology, and can send crew or equipment to orbit,” he said.
“Therefore, the President also yesterday conveyed exploring the possibility of sending Indonesians to undergo the cosmonaut training programme,” Sugiono continued.