Jeong Eui-yong Visiting Southeast Asia: "We Will Further Strengthen New Southern Policy Cooperation with Indonesia"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Jeong Eui-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is on a tour of Southeast Asia, held talks with Retno Marsudi, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Jakarta on the 25th and stated, “We will further strengthen cooperation as a key partner country of the New Southern Policy.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Jeong said, “Indonesia is the place where the New Southern Policy was first announced and is a key partner country in promoting the New Southern Policy,” adding, “Our government is actively promoting the New Southern Policy Plus, reflecting the changed environment such as COVID-19.”

He continued, “We will further strengthen cooperation with Indonesia in the seven major areas of the New Southern Policy Plus, including health, education, infrastructure development, and fostering future industries.”

He conveyed that the Korean government will continue to support quarantine and medical supplies this year as well, and that both countries agreed to cooperate in the international community’s efforts for equitable access to vaccines. He also said that he requested special support from the Indonesian government to ensure that Koreans residing in Indonesia receive vaccinations.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has promised to provide support worth 4 million USD (4.5 billion KRW) for COVID-19 quarantine in Indonesia.

Minister Jeong also said, “Defense cooperation between the two countries is expanding to the level of jointly developing advanced weapons such as fighter jets and submarines,” adding, “We agreed to closely consult to ensure the smooth progress of the KF-21/IF-X joint development project.”

Furthermore, both sides discussed strengthening economic recovery cooperation through the early ratification of the Korea-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

They also signed a 'Korea-Indonesia Trilateral Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding' to expand development cooperation in third countries, including the Pacific island region.

After the talks, the foreign ministers of both countries signed an action plan to implement the Korea-Indonesia Special Strategic Partnership. This action plan includes measures to deepen cooperation in political affairs, defense, security, economy, socio-culture, regional, and international arenas over the next five years.

Following the foreign ministers’ meeting, Minister Jeong plans to pay courtesy visits to Indonesian President Joko Widodo and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, and hold a meeting with Park Jae-han, president of the Korean residents’ association in Indonesia, and representatives of Korean companies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.