The National Security Office Calls the Korea-Indonesia Summit "A Signal Marking the Start of the Yoon Administration's ASEAN Diplomacy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Kim Seong-han, Director of the National Security Office at the Presidential Office, expressed expectations that the official visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the 27th-28th and the Korea-Indonesia summit will "not only strengthen Korea-Indonesia relations but also signal the official start of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's ASEAN diplomacy."

Director Kim made these remarks on the afternoon of the 25th during a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building while introducing President Joko Widodo's visit to Korea.

Kim stated, "President Yoon plans to discuss bilateral cooperation in defense and infrastructure with President Joko Widodo during the summit," adding, "There will be in-depth discussions on important international issues such as Indo-Pacific cooperation and ASEAN cooperation."

He further introduced, "Indonesia is a key ASEAN country accounting for 41% of the ASEAN population and 34% of ASEAN's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and it is the only ASEAN nation that has a special strategic partnership with us. Indonesia is participating with us in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and plays a major role in stabilizing critical mineral supply chains."

He added, "Considering Indonesia's strategic importance, our government has been striving to utilize Korea-Indonesia relations as a driving force to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN."

A Presidential Office official, speaking to reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day, explained the schedule for President Joko Widodo's visit, saying, "On the morning of the 28th, after holding a meeting with business leaders and visiting Hyundai Motor's technology research center in Hwaseong, the President will return to Seoul to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Seoul National Cemetery, followed by the summit, joint press conference, and official dinner."

Regarding Indonesia's unpaid share for the KF-21 project, the official said, "It is expected that this issue will naturally be discussed during various agenda talks," adding, "Indonesia's willingness to cooperate is very strong, and we expect it to be resolved soon."

In response to a reporter's question about whether the administration will inherit the Moon Jae-in government's New Southern Policy, the official explained, "We plan to inherit the basic framework and good content of the Moon administration's New Southern Policy," adding, "We are closely considering ways to upgrade and expand it." The official noted that the policy will incorporate diplomacy and security in addition to the existing economic and cultural policies.

Regarding the issue of repatriation of North Korean fishermen, the official stated, "This matter was not included at all during the transition process following the new administration's inauguration," and added, "Even after the issue entered a full investigation phase and we went through procedures to check whether related materials could be provided to our security office, there is surprisingly little information."

He continued, "We are not in a position to make specific comments on the repatriation case," and added, "Since the prosecution is investigating, please be patient and wait for the results."

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