Indonesia And South Korea Expand Economic Cooperation Ahead Of APEC 2025 Summit

JAKARTA - The governments of Indonesia and South Korea have agreed to expand cooperation in various strategic sectors, including investment, trade, energy, and the development of future industries.

Meanwhile, this discussion of strengthening cooperation took place in a bilateral meeting between the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto, holding a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Trade, Investment, and Resources or Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea Kim Jung Kwan.

The expansion of this collaboration was carried out ahead of a series of events at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) or APEC Summit 2025 which took place from 31 October to 1 November 2025 in Gyeoungju City, South Korea.

In addition, this meeting is an important momentum for both countries to continue to strengthen strategic economic relations, especially in the fields of investment, trade, energy, digitization, and the development of future industries.

South Korea is one of Indonesia's main partners in strengthening a competitive and sustainable economy. We want to ensure that this good cooperation can continue to be developed in a more strategic and concrete direction," said Airlangga in his statement, Friday, October 31.

The Republic of Korea is one of the strategic partners for Indonesia in strengthening bilateral economic relations, where in 2024, South Korea will rank 7th as the largest investor country in Indonesia.

In addition, around 2 thousand Korean companies are also operating in Indonesia in close cooperation with local partners and this achievement reflects the high confidence of Korean investors in Indonesia's investment climate.

This collaboration is expected to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth for both countries. Both parties also affirm their commitment to continue to strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships and support sustainable economic growth in the Asia Pacific region.

Regarding efforts to increase economic cooperation, the two Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) forum as the main forum for the development of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries.

Furthermore, Airlangga said that the 3rd JCEC Ministerial Meeting would be held in Indonesia in the first quarter of 2026, in order to accelerate the follow-up to strategic projects that had been previously agreed upon.

In addition, Airlangga emphasized the importance of accelerating the implementation of the Economic Cooperation Committee within the framework of implementing the Indonesia-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK-CEPA) cooperation.

"IK-CEPA is an important instrument to deepen our economic partnership. Through this agreement, we want to ensure direct benefits for industry and society in both countries," said Airlangga.

Airlangga expressed his belief that the cooperation between Indonesia and Korea will continue to grow towards a comprehensive, innovative and sustainable economic partnership.

Economic cooperation between Indonesia and Korea not only reflects bilateral relations, but also a real contribution to regional economic growth. In the future, we will continue to strengthen partnerships that are inclusive and mutually beneficial," he concluded.