1965 Spirit Still Important for Korean Peninsula Stability

BOGOR - The commemoration of Kim Il Sung's visit to Indonesia at the Bogor Botanical Garden does not stop at historical nostalgia. The spirit that was born from the meeting between Bung Karno and Kim Il Sung in April 1965 was again encouraged as a social capital to support stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Chairman of the Indonesian-RRD Korea Friendship Association, Teguh Santosa, said that Indonesia's relationship with North Korea has a strong historical footprint. One of the signs is the birth of the Kimilsungia flower diplomacy at the Bogor Botanical Garden on April 13, 1965.

"We certainly still remember clearly how the diplomacy of the Kimilsungia flower was born in the Bogor Botanical Garden. The name given directly by Bung Karno for the orchid is proof of how close the emotional bond between the two leaders is. This relationship transcends the boundaries of bureaucracy, uniting a sense of mutual respect that remains alive to this day," said Teguh at the Anggrek House, Bogor Botanical Garden, Thursday, April 9.

According to Teguh, Kim Il Sung's visit accompanied by Kim Jong Il six decades ago was not an ordinary visit. The visit became a symbol of friendship between two nations that both carry the spirit of Asian-African sovereignty and solidarity.

Kim Il Sung was in Indonesia from April 10 to 20, 1965. In addition to attending the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, he also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Indonesia and the Bintang Republik Indonesia Class I Adipurna from Bung Karno. During the visit, Kim Il Sung also celebrated his 53rd birthday on April 15, 1965.

Teguh, who is also the Chairman of JMSI, said that in the midst of increasingly complex global challenges, relations between the two countries need to be strengthened through broader cooperation, ranging from culture, education, to exchanges of ideas on sustainable development.

"We need to broaden the horizon of collaboration, ranging from the cultural sector, education, to the exchange of ideas on sustainable development for the prosperity of the people of both countries," he said.

He emphasized that the spirit of friendship initiated in 1965 is still a strong social capital to support stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as strengthen bilateral relations that are more productive.

"The spirit of friendship that was initiated in 1965 is a strong social capital for us to continue to support stability on the Korean Peninsula, while strengthening a more productive bilateral partnership in the future," said Teguh, who is also a lecturer in International Relations at UIN Syarief Hidayatullah Jakarta.

At the event, the Acting Head of the Korean Embassy of the RRD, So Kwang Yun, said that relations between the two countries were becoming more significant. He mentioned the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Sugiono in October 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries.

"During these events, there was an exchange of views on issues aimed at further strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, as well as matters of mutual interest," said So.

He also said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism strengthened the foundation for cooperation between the two countries.

"The Government of the Republic of Korea has a firm stance to continue to develop friendly relations with Indonesia, which has a long history and tradition," he said.

Similarly, the Director of East Asia of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arifianto Sofiyanto, said the Indonesian government has a commitment to increase cooperation with North Korea. This commitment was also shown in the visit of the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono last year.

On that occasion, Arifianto also underlined Indonesia's commitment to maintaining regional stability, including the Korean Peninsula.