New North Korean Ambassador Dominates Indonesian Language, Economic Cooperation Between the Two Countries Has the Potential to Expand

The new Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Indonesia, Hong Kwang Il and Chairman of the Indonesian-DPRK Friendship Association, Dr. Teguh Santosa. (IST)

JAKARTA - The presence of the new Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Indonesia, Hong Kwang Il, is considered to open opportunities for strengthening relations between the two countries. In addition to having diplomatic experience, Hong also mastered the Indonesian language because he had served several times in Jakarta.

The Chairman of the Indonesian-RRD Korea Friendship Association, Dr. Teguh Santosa, said Hong's language skills and understanding of Indonesia were important assets to facilitate communication and encourage more concrete cooperation.

According to Teguh, who is also the Chairman of JMSI, one of the opportunities that can be explored is the involvement of Indonesian business actors in the 10x20 Regional Development Program that is currently being carried out by the North Korean government. The program is a regional development policy that targets the development of 20 areas each year for 10 years in various regions of North Korea.

"This is a large-scale project that certainly requires broad support from various parties, including Indonesian business actors who have capabilities in the fields of construction, materials, and supplies of supporting commodities," said Teguh in a written statement received on Thursday, June 11.

Hong's official assignment as the Korean RRD Ambassador to Indonesia was marked by the submission of a letter of credence to President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

After handing over the letter of confidence, Hong conveyed his government's commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation with Indonesia in various strategic sectors.

"Our government is fully committed to expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation with Indonesia in various strategic sectors for mutual prosperity," said Hong.

Teguh, who has visited RRD Korea dozens of times and received two stars of awards and certificates of Honorary Journalists of RRD Korea, assessed that the momentum of the presence of Ambassador Hong can be an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two countries which have been established since the era of President Soekarno and President Kim Il Sung.

He said the Indonesian-RRD Korea Friendship Association was ready to help build communication between the governments, business actors, and various stakeholders of the two countries to explore cooperation opportunities.