JAKARTA - The Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) received a visit from the President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), Ryu Seung-min, at the NOC Indonesia office, Jakarta, on Friday, January 9, 2026.
The visit was part of sports diplomacy between Indonesia and South Korea in order to strengthen cooperation and development of sports in both countries.
In the meeting, in addition to the President of the Indonesian NOC, Raja Sapta Oktohari, was also present Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports (Wamenpora) Taufik Hidayat who is also Deputy Chairman of the I General Assembly of the PP PBSI.
The meeting was also a meeting of two gold medal winners at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where Taufik was a gold medalist in badminton and Ryu Seung-min in table tennis.
Okto, a nickname for King Sapta Oktohari, said that the visit by the President of the South Korean NOC was a continuation of the long-standing friendship between the two, including since the meeting at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"I received a visit from the President of the South Korean NOC who is also a gold medal winner in the table tennis branch of the Olympics."
"He is the first Olympic champion who later became the President of the NOC, as well as the youngest NOC President in South Korea," said King Sapta Oktohari.
He added that communication and discussions regarding the development of Indonesian and South Korean sports have been taking place for a long time.
"Our friendship has actually been established for a long time. We had a very good discussion when we were together in Paris. At that time, President Ryu expressed his desire to visit Indonesia one day. This time he really made it happen," said Okto.
During the meeting, King Sapta Oktohari also highlighted South Korea's consistency in building sports achievements through a strong coaching system, especially in the archery, taekwondo, and tennis branches. According to him, South Korea's experience can be an important reference for the development of Indonesian sports.
One of the main topics discussed was the opportunity for cooperation in the development of winter sports. Okto emphasized that international collaboration is the key to opening new opportunities for Indonesian athletes.
"The development of winter sports is one of the main topics that we will continue after this. For indoor branches, of course we can build the facilities."
"However, for the outdoor branch, we need to find opportunities for cooperation, such as those offered by our friends from South Korea."
"I think this will be a very good opportunity for our athletes to get training," said Okto.
Meanwhile, the President of the South Korean NOC (KSOC), Ryu Seung-min, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome from the Indonesian NOC and emphasized the close friendship between Indonesia and South Korea, especially in the field of sports.
According to Ryu, the opportunities for future collaboration are very wide open, not only at the NOC level, but also between sports.
"Indonesia and South Korea have always been close friends. In sports, the relationship is even closer."
"That is why we see opportunities for closer collaboration in the field of sports in the future, not only at the NOC level, but also in various sports. Through sports, this collaboration will create excellent synergy between the two NOCs," said Ryu Seung-min.
Ryu also conveyed that South Korea has various sports development programs, including experience in organizing winter sports events and the Youth Olympic Games, which can be developed together with Indonesia through a strategic partnership.
In addition, Ryu Seung-min appreciated the development of Indonesian sports under the leadership of King Sapta Oktohari.
"The General Chairman (Raja Sapta Oktohari) has a great spirit and is a very committed figure. That is why his leadership can contribute to the development of Indonesian sports."
"We look forward to positive cooperation and competition at the Asian Games. I really admire his leadership in moving Indonesian sports," said Ryu.
This visit confirms the commitment of the Indonesian NOC and KSOC to continue to strengthen sports diplomacy as the foundation for the development of achievements, friendship, and continuous collaboration between Indonesia and South Korea.
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