Arriving At The South Korean Presidential Palace, Jokowi Was Welcomed By President Yoon Suk-yeol, Immediately Held A Limited Meeting

President Joko Widodo (left) and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at the Yongsan Presidential Office, Seoul (ANTARA/HO-Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo met South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at the Yongsan Presidential Office, Seoul, Thursday, July 28 evening. Upon arriving at Yongsan, Jokowi was greeted directly by Yoon before the two headed to the 2nd floor of the South Korean Presidential Office.

Next, Yoon invited Jokowi to fill out the guest book and introduce the South Korean delegation who was present at the Yongsan Presidential Office. Jokowi and Yoon then took a photo together.

President Jokowi and President Yoon then held a limited meeting in a separate room before they both chaired a bilateral meeting with delegates from each country.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said during the meeting President Yoon appreciated President Jokowi's leadership in providing solutions to world problems.

"President Yoon expressed his appreciation for President Jokowi's leadership in trying to solve world problems," said Retno Marsudi in a statement received by the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, July 28.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, Yoon said Jokowi's visit showed the importance of South Korea's relations with Indonesia since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1973.

"The President's visit shows the importance of Korean relations with Indonesia. Since diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1973 or the last 50 years, there have been many economic, trade, cultural, people to people contact, diplomacy and defense progress," Yoon said.

President Yoon added that Indonesia is the only country in Southeast Asia that has a special partnership with South Korea. In addition, President Yoon also appreciated Indonesia's leadership in the G20.

During the meeting, Jokowi congratulated Yoon on the election of South Korean President. Jokowi believes that bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea is getting stronger under the leadership of President Yoon.

"Relations between Indonesia and the Republic of Korea have been very strong so far, which are based on a special strategic partnership. However, the space to continue to increase cooperation is still very wide. I will use my visit this time to strengthen cooperation, especially in the economic field," Jokowi said. .

After the bilateral meeting, President Jokowi and President Yoon then headed to a separate room to witness the signing of a number of collaborations.

The first cooperation that Indonesia and South Korea agreed on was a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Investment/Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea to increase sustainable green investment.

Then there is the cooperation in the Protocol to Amend the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation of the Republic of Korea regarding technical cooperation in the transfer and development of the nation's capital.

Finally, there is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea regarding maritime cooperation.

Also accompanying Jokowi in the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of BUMN Erick Thohir, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, and the Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto.