GREAT Institute: President Lee's Request to Heal Korea Acknowledges Prabowo's Reputation on the Global Stage

Director of Geopolitics GREAT Institute, Dr. Teguh Santosa. (IST)

JAKARTA - The request of South Korean President Lee Jae-myun specifically asked the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, to help bridge the strained diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) was seen as a recognition of the reputation of the foreign policy track record in a number of global political issues.

Director of Geopolitics GREAT Institute, Dr. Teguh Santosa, in his statement received Sunday, July 2, said the request was very reasonable because Indonesia is a country that has very good relations with both Koreas. Since the era of the leadership of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, until now, Indonesia has consistently maintained harmonious, open, and friendly diplomatic relations with the government in Seoul and in Pyongyang, without ever losing its neutrality.

The author of the book "Reunification of Korea: Game Theory" which was taken from his dissertation at Padjadjaran University explained, armed with this historical background and political beliefs, Teguh believes that President Prabowo can appear as a key player in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. President Prabowo's leadership, which is firm and active in world peace diplomacy, is considered very appropriate to lead a peaceful dialogue initiative in this strategic East Asian region.

As a party with experience in interacting and conducting comprehensive studies on North Korea, Teguh said he was ready to provide constructive input to the Indonesian government to support the success of the peace mission.

According to the observation of the Chairman of the Indonesian-RRD Korea Friendship Association, now is a good momentum to restart the Korean peace talks, considering President Lee comes from a progressive political camp in South Korea who views North Korea as a dialogue partner to realize peace on the Korean Peninsula. This progressive approach is believed to be much more open than some previous conservative governments who view North Korea as a source of security and stability threats in the region.

However, the former Vice Rector of Bung Karno University (UBK) did not deny the fact that there was indeed a difference in the situation of relations between the two Koreas after the peace talks between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un in 2018 and 2019 with the current situation. The domestic political dynamics in both countries have shifted significantly in recent years, requiring a new, more adaptive approach to diplomacy.

The two Koreas were divided into different countries immediately after Japan surrendered in the World War in 1945. In 1948, the two Koreas formed governments in their respective countries. The peak of this tension was the war that lasted from 1950 to the armistice in 1953.

After that, both countries made various efforts to discuss the prospects for peace and reunification of the two countries as before the Japanese colonial period. Presidents Kim Daejung and Roh Moohyun of the progressive South Korean faction in 2000 and 2007 met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang to discuss a peace and reunification scheme for the two countries.

In the era of President Lee Myungbak and President Park Geunhye (2008-2017) from the conservative camp, relations between the two countries deteriorated again. The opportunity for peace came again in the era of President Moo Jaein (2017-2022). Like his predecessors from the progressive camp, Moon Jaein reopened peace talks with North Korea. He visited Pyongyang in 2018 and facilitated peace talks between Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump.

This opportunity for peace has faded again in the era of Yoon Sukyeol, who is following in the footsteps of his predecessors from the conservative camp. Yoon Sukyeol was ousted from power in 2024 for issuing a military emergency status at the end of the previous year.

On the North Korean side, in January 2024 Kim Jong Un "buried" the desire for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula and adopted the "two state solution" policy because he was disappointed with South Korea's back-and-forth attitude. In the amendment to the North Korean Constitution, all ideas regarding reunification were eliminated. North Korea even destroyed all monuments and disbanded all institutions related to the reunification issue.

Teguh said that these past psychological and political obstacles need to be set aside for the greater good.

"The important thing now is to end the status quo of the conflict by changing the 1953 ceasefire agreement into a permanent peace agreement," said Teguh, who has visited North and South Korea dozens of times.

"With the full support of the Indonesian leadership under President Prabowo Subianto, I believe that a new round of stability and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula can be realized again," said Teguh.