SEOUL: South Korea and Indonesia have elevated ties to a “special comprehensive strategic partnership” on Wednesday – the first of its kind for both countries – as they moved to deepen cooperation in future growth sectors such as critical minerals, shipbuilding and advanced technologies.
The outcome came as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held their third summit at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday during Prabowo’s first state visit to South Korea at Lee’s invitation.
This marks the first time either South Korea or Indonesia has entered into a special comprehensive strategic partnership.
The two countries formed a special strategic partnership in 2017, upgrading from a strategic partnership established in 2006 after forging diplomatic ties in 1973.
The upgrade of bilateral ties aims to “promote substantive strengthening of cooperation not only in advancing trade, investment, and defence and defence industry cooperation”, senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a press statement.
Kang further explained that the upgrade also seeks to expand cooperation in new growth sectors such as advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, infrastructure, shipbuilding, nuclear power, energy transition, and cultural and creative industries.”
In a joint statement, Lee and Prabowo notably tasked their foreign ministers with establishing a new bilateral strategic dialogue mechanism – a “special comprehensive strategic dialogue” – to coordinate and oversee cooperation across various fields and underscored their commitment to convene the dialogue on an annual basis.
“The two leaders expressed their strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in strategic economic sectors that contribute to mutual economic growth and the long-term development of both countries.”
These sectors include advanced manufacturing; automobiles, including electric vehicles and the battery ecosystem; steel; machinery; semiconductors; critical minerals and rare earth elements; and the shipbuilding and maritime industries. — The Korea Herald/ANN
