Prabowo Ready to Go to North Korea if Asked to Open Dialogue

President Prabowo Subianto (Presidential Media Team)

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto said he was ready to go to North Korea if asked to help open a dialogue with the country. The request, said Prabowo, was conveyed by the President of South Korea during his last visit to Seoul.

Prabowo told this when he received the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya Bakrie and the managers of Kadin throughout Indonesia at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Friday, July 31.

According to Prabowo, Indonesia's position of not siding with any military bloc makes Indonesia acceptable to many parties.

He said Indonesia holds the non-bloc foreign policy legacy of the founding fathers. Indonesia also does not want to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

"Indonesia is considered not to have an interest in interfering in the internal affairs of any country. That is what we hold fast to," said Prabowo.

Prabowo said that this position made Indonesia acceptable in various regions, including Myanmar. He said Indonesia could talk to almost all parties.

"Even in Myanmar we hold on to it. We can be accepted by almost all parties," he said.

Prabowo then told the request from the President of South Korea. According to Prabowo, the President of South Korea asked about the possibility of him visiting North Korea to open a dialogue room.

Prabowo said he was ready to meet the request.

"If Your Majesty asks me to go to North Korea, I will leave," said Prabowo.

Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia's foreign policy remained neutral. Indonesia maintains good relations with the United States, China, Russia, Japan, India, Australia, and neighboring countries.

"We respect everyone. Our relationship is good with the United States. But we are also good with China. We are also good with Russia," he said.

He said Indonesia wanted to be a good neighbor to other countries. Therefore, the government is trying to improve relations, reconcile, and resolve problems in a peaceful manner.

According to Prabowo, as the largest country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia must be more patient and not easily provoked.

"We have to be more wise, more patient. We must not be provoked," he said.