TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, expressed his desire to enhance cooperation in the energy sector with Indonesia amid global uncertainties following the West Asia war. President Lee conveyed this directly to President Prabowo Subianto during a bilateral meeting at the Blue House, the South Korean Presidential Palace, in Seoul on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Lee explained that for over 50 years of diplomatic relations, Indonesia and South Korea have been valuable friends and partners. "In the midst of global uncertainties and various challenges, Korea and Indonesia are blessings to each other," President Lee said, quoted from a video uploaded on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
According to Lee, in this rapidly changing global order, considering the situation in West Asia, cooperation between the two countries that share the same values will be crucial. "We feel very reassured knowing that Indonesia provides LNG (liquified natural gas) and coal to Korea very stably," Lee said.
Therefore, Lee wants Indonesia and South Korea to expand cooperation in stable energy supply and resource security to minimize the impact of crises on the economy and people's lives.
"The cooperation between our two countries, which share values of democracy, free trade, and rule-based order, will shine brightly, especially in crises like now," President Lee said.
On the same occasion, President Prabowo mentioned that Indonesia and South Korea are middle power countries with similar concerns. The term "middle power" refers to the spectrum of international strength for countries with medium economic and military capacities, not classified as superpowers.
"Both of us need stability, and both of us need peace," Prabowo said.
According to Prabowo, his visit to the Land of Ginseng occurred amid a global situation fraught with uncertainty and danger. Therefore, Prabowo emphasized that strengthening bilateral relations between countries has become even more important.
"But we understand that if we want peace and stability, we must also have good security and defense," Prabowo said.
Prabowo also emphasized that his first state visit to South Korea reflects Indonesia's commitment to strengthening the established partnership. "I consider Korea as a close friend of Indonesia, and I want to enhance this cooperation," Prabowo said.
Prabowo highlighted that long-term relations between countries are inseparable from various dynamics, including potential differences in views. However, he considers openness and honesty as the key to maintaining constructive relationships.
According to the Chairperson of the Gerindra Party, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea share common interests, especially as countries in the Pacific region with a trade-oriented approach. "We need good relations for the economic prosperity of both our countries, and perhaps we have complementary roles," he added.
Read: Prabowo Talks KF-21 Fighter Jet Project Continuation During Korea Visit
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Calls for Evacuations Following M7.6 Earthquake in Ternate-Bitung
27 menit lalu
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 occurred on Thursday morning, April 2, 2026, around 05:48 AM local time.
Prabowo Salutes Indonesian Worker for Heroic S. Korea Wildfire Rescue
30 menit lalu
President Prabowo praised an Indonesian migrant worker for rescuing seven elderly residents from a wildfire in South Korea in March 2025.
Prabowo Talks KF-21 Fighter Jet Project Continuation During Korea Visit
1 jam lalu
Prabowo emphasized his commitment to sending a team to South Korea in response to the KF-21 development cooperation agreement.
Prabowo Meets K-Pop Idol Carmen of Hearts2Hearts During South Korea Visit
4 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had a meeting with Indonesian K-Pop group Hearts2Hearts member, Carmen, during a state visit to South Korea.
Prabowo Secures Rp574tn Investment from Japan, South Korea
6 jam lalu
Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto disclosed the investment commitments following President Prabowo's visits to Japan and South Korea.
Prabowo Returns Home to Jakarta After Securing Deals in Japan, South Korea
8 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Jakarta early Thursday morning, after completing his visit in Japan and South Korea.
Prabowo Calls Indonesia, South Korea Fellow Middle Powers
18 jam lalu
Prabowo noted that his visit to the Land of Ginseng occurred amid a globally uncertain and volatile environment.
Prabowo's Japan Visit Secures US$23.1bn in Investment Pledges
18 jam lalu
The largest share of the investment commitment, US$20.9 billion, is allocated for the development of the Abadi Gas Field in the Masela Block.
Indonesia's Prabowo Receives South Korea's Highest State Honor
20 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto received South Korea's highest state honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, at a friendship event in Seoul.
Lee Jae Myung Offers Condolences After Indonesian Peacekeepers Died in Lebanon
21 jam lalu
Three Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in two separate incidents in Southern Lebanon. The two incidents occurred within 24 hours.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5491263/original/038261600_1770089716-wehrmann_j.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5390165/original/033586000_1761235850-Persib_Bandung_1.jpeg)
