South Korea, Indonesia upgrade ties, boost defense

President Lee Jae-myung and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto agreed Tuesday to upgrade their relationship to a “special comprehensive strategic partnership,” expanding cooperation in defense and critical minerals.

At a summit in Seoul, Lee called Indonesia a key partner in South Korea’s defense industry and underscored the value of closer ties at a time of rising global uncertainty.

“As uncertainty grows, our countries reinforce each other,” Lee said. He highlighted Indonesia’s role as a stable supplier of energy resources such as liquefied natural gas and coal, and described it as a trusted partner for more than 50 years.

The two leaders also discussed the KF-21 fighter jet program during a closed-door session, officials said. Indonesia joined the joint development project with a commitment to cover about 20 percent of the roughly 8 trillion won cost, but the program has faced delays as Jakarta sought to revise its contribution.

In a joint statement, the leaders welcomed progress on the KF-21, known in Indonesia as the IF-X, noting that the project is expected to be completed by June 2026. They reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in mass production and expressed interest in expanding defense collaboration to include trainer aircraft, anti-tank guided missiles and munitions.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the two countries agreed to broaden defense cooperation beyond arms exports to include joint production, maintenance and repair, training centers and workforce development.

The partnership upgrade was accompanied by the signing of 16 memorandums of understanding covering artificial intelligence, critical minerals, digital development, clean energy, carbon capture and intellectual property protection. South Korea has established similar partnerships with the United Arab Emirates and India.

The leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation on resource security as concerns grow over potential supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of nickel, a key material for electric vehicle batteries, and the second-largest producer of cobalt.

Lee also called for investment in South Korea’s content industry from Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, which manages assets estimated at $1 trillion. The two countries plan to resume the South Korea-Indonesia Economic Cooperation Committee, which has been suspended since July 2023.

Later, Lee awarded Prabowo the Mugunghwa Medal, South Korea’s highest national honor, given to foreign leaders who have contributed to bilateral relations. It marked the second time Lee has conferred the award on a foreign head of state, following Donald Trump last October.

A state luncheon featured Korean dishes prepared with halal-certified ingredients in consideration of Prabowo’s Islamic faith, with apple juice served in place of alcohol.

Lee cited an Indonesian proverb describing an inseparable bond strengthened through partnership, saying it reflects the relationship between the two countries. Prabowo praised South Korea’s discipline and resilience, adding that a Korean saying about going farther together carries special meaning. He said the two nations can achieve more by moving forward together.

The presidential office said Lee also presented gifts symbolizing defense cooperation, including a traditional Korean archery set and a Joseon-era martial arts manual.


윤다빈 기자 empty@donga.com