South Korean President Moon Jae-in (left) with Indonesia President Joko Widodo (right), November 2017.
Indonesia and South Korea established diplomatic relations on 18 September 1973.[1] Both countries share a common vision, values and the will to contribute to the international community as middle powers.[2][3] Both countries are members of G-20 and APEC. South Korea has an embassy in Jakarta and Indonesia has an embassy in Seoul. According to a 2014 BBC World Service Poll, 48% of Indonesians view South Korea's influence positively, with 27% expressing a negative view.[4] The Chinese Indonesian merchant Chen Yanxiang visited Korea between the 1390s and the 1410s, the first major contact between the two nations.[5]
Fast growing trade and investment enabled the two governments to agree on a strategic partnership in 2006.[3] Indonesia and South Korea have invested in multiple joint military development projects, including the KFX/IFX fighter jet.[6] South Korean firm Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) is in final contract negotiations to supply Indonesia with three Type-209 submarines. This will be the largest ever bilateral defense deal, valued at US$1.1 billion.[7]
President Yudhoyono of Indonesia with South Korean minister for foreign affairs, Yun Byung-se in Bali, June 14th, 2013.
In the past, the relations were only developed around trade and investments, such as the forestry and garment sectors. Today the cooperation has been expanded to a number of mega projects and advanced industries. With US$27 billion in bilateral trade, South Korea became the fourth biggest trading partner of Indonesia in 2012. It became the third-biggest foreign investor in Indonesia, with US$1.94 billion in investment.[3]
There are large numbers of South Korean companies that have been investing and operating in Indonesia, such as Miwon (Daesang Corporation), Lotte, Yong Ma, Hankook, Samsung, LG, Kia and Hyundai. In 2011, Hankook announced a US$353 million investment into a production plant located in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia.[9]
In 2019, trade between Indonesia and South Korea was worth $15.65 billion, and between 2015 and 2019 South Korean companies invested nearly $7 billion in Indonesia. In December 2020, Indonesia and South Korea signed the Indonesia–Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. It is equivalent to a free trade agreement, though focuses on a broader scope of economic cooperation. Under the deal, Indonesia will scrap 94.8% of tariffs on South Korean products while South Korea will scrap 95.8% of tariffs on Indonesian products.[10][11][12] In May 2023, the central banks of South Korea and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding to promote bilateral trade in national currencies, moving away from the US dollar as an intermediary. They said in a joint statement that the step is expected to help South Korean and Indonesian corporations to lower transaction costs and exposure to exchange rate risks.[13][14]
Korea and Indonesia have been engaged in a variety of public diplomacy, with exchanges between local governments being the first. Local government public diplomacy, which began in 1961, increased rapidly in the 2000s, centered on friendly exchange projects, and entered a maturity period through the Park Geun Hyen government, which established customized public diplomacy projects there, the Moon Jae Inn government, which enacted the Public Diplomacy Act, and the Moon Jae Inn government, which sought to harmonize autonomy and international cooperation.
Korean companies' investment and expansion in Indonesia also began in the 1960s, and it is encouraging that more Korean companies are gradually fulfilling their responsibilities as members of Indonesian society, free from the economic motives of cost reduction and market development. However, it is necessary to investigate how much Korean companies can respond to sensitive issues such as climate change and carbon neutrality that the Indonesian government is interested in.
Among the top 10 most searched songs by Indonesians in 2020, three were Korean singers, and Korean dramas, including "Squid Game" and "Wise Doctor Life," were also very popular. In addition, according to the Indonesian Business Center of the Korea Creative Content Agency, Korean food culture, including ramen, chicken, and tteokbokki, has already become part of Indonesians' daily lives. In response, the Korean Cultural Center in Indonesia, along with the Korean Embassy and the Korean Association, visited five major cities in Java in 2019 by food trucks Jawa, a Korean friend, came to Java). In addition, the concert, co-hosted by the Western Java government and the Korean Association in 2022, was highly praised by the governor and leading presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo (Baskhara 2022).
The Korea Tourism Organization, or KTO, office was opened by the Indonesian government in Jakarta to promote bilateral collaboration and facilitate Indonesians' access to information about South Korea. It's in Central Jakarta, specifically in Sudirman. Whilst the Office of the Korean Cultural Centre, located in Senayan, South Jakarta, was likewise founded by the South Korean government. The Korean Culture Centre was officially opened and launched by South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Young-sun. He also noted that the building of the KCC was a reaction to Indonesians' strong interest in Hallyu.[15]
State visits
President Chun Doo Hwan visited Indonesia in July 1981, and in the next year President Soeharto visited South Korea in October 1982. In November 1988 President Roh Tae Woo visited Indonesia. President Kim Young Sam visited Indonesia in November 1994. Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid visited South Korea twice in 2000, on February and on October, and in the same year, President Kim Dae Jung visited Indonesia in November. President Megawati Soekarnoputri visited South Korea in March 2002.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited South Korea during an APEC Summit in November 2005. In December 2006, President Roh Moo Hyun visited Indonesia to sign a Joint Strategic Partnership between Indonesia and South Korea. President Yudhoyono visited Korea as a state guest in March 2012 and President Lee Myung-bak visited Bali to attend the Bali Democracy Forum in November 2012.
The first lady of South Korea, Kim-Keon-hee visited the Korean Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia in September 2023. She shows her support for the Indonesian efforts to promote Korean Culture that related to Hallyu. The attendees received souvenirs as gifts from her supporting Busan's bid to host the 2023 World Expo.[16]
↑ Reid, Anthony (1992). "The Rise and Fall of Sino-Javanese Shipping". In Houben, V.J.H.; Maier, H.M.J.; Van der Molen, W. (eds.). Looking in Odd Mirrors: The Java Sea. Leiden, The Netherlands: Leiden University Department of Southeast Asian Studies. pp.177–211. ISBN978-90-73084-06-3. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
The economy of Indonesia is a mixed economy with dirigiste characteristics, and it is one of the emerging market economies in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. As an upper-middle income country and member of the G20, Indonesia is classified as a newly industrialized country. Indonesia nominal GDP reached 20.892 quadrillion rupiah in 2023, it is the 16th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and the 8th largest in terms of GDP (PPP). Indonesia's internet economy reached US$77 billion in 2022, and is expected to cross the US$130 billion mark by 2025. Indonesia depends on the domestic market and government budget spending and its ownership of state-owned enterprises. The administration of prices of a range of basic goods also plays a significant role in Indonesia's market economy. However, micro, medium and small companies contribute around 61.7% of the economy and significant major private owned companies and foreign companies are also present.
China and Indonesia established formal diplomatic relations in 1949, more commonly referred to as Sino-Indonesian relations. Prior to this, for many centuries, the two countries maintained a variety of relations mainly in informal trade. Under Sukarno’s presidency, from 1945 to 1967, relations with China deepened, as in the early 1960s Sukarno embarked on a series of aggressive foreign policies under the rubric of anti-imperialism and personally championed the Non-Aligned Movement. These developments led to increasing friction with the West and closer relations both with China and the USSR.
Indonesia–Russia relations are the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Russia. Indonesia and the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations on 3 February 1950. Russia has an embassy in Jakarta and has announced plans to open a consulate-general in Denpasar, while Indonesia has an embassy in Moscow along with an honorary consulate in Saint Petersburg. Both countries are members of the APEC, G-20 and BRICS.
Kazakhstan–South Korea relations are the international relations between Kazakhstan and the South Korea.
India and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 16 April 1949. India recognized Indonesia's independence on 2 September 1946. Both countries are neighbours, India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea.
Hungary–Indonesia relations refer to bilateral relations between Hungary and Indonesia. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 26 June 1955. A Hungarian embassy was opened in Jakarta in 1957. In line to Hungarian "Eastern Opening" policy, and due to Indonesian political weight and market potentials, Hungary considered Indonesia as one of the most influential states in the ASEAN. While Indonesia sees Hungary as a potential market and a strategic entrance to penetrate the markets of Central Europe and Eastern Europe. Hungary has an embassy in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Budapest.
Argentina and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1956. Since then, bilateral relations between both countries have become increasingly more strategic. According to Argentine Ambassador to Indonesian Javier A. Sanz de Urquiza, Indonesia has been a "true friend of Argentina" over the Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute. Argentina has an embassy in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Buenos Aires. Both countries say they share the same values regarding the international order, and the same aspiration to defend the developing nations' interest in international forum. Both countries are members of Group of 77, the G-20 major economies, the G20 developing nations, and Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.
Indonesia and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations in 1949 and have maintained strong relations since then. Indonesia has an embassy in London while the United Kingdom has an embassy in Jakarta. The United Kingdom considers Indonesia an increasingly important partner globally and is committed to efforts to take bilateral relations to new heights. Both nations are members of G-20 major economies.
Denmark and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1950. Denmark has an embassy in Jakarta, and Indonesia has an embassy in Copenhagen. Bilateral relations are strong, as well as the humanitarian response to the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed the lives of 45 Danes. In 2015, after focusing on China and South Korea, Denmark is gearing up to enhance its relations with Indonesia, hoping that it will help Denmark to build strong ties with the whole Southeast Asian region.
France and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 4 January 1950. The indirect relationship between France and Indonesia commenced during the early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. Since 2011 France and Indonesia have formed a strategic partnership.
Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations in 1976. Diplomatic relations between both nations are important because they share solidarity as Muslim majority countries. Indonesia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai, while the United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Indonesia–North Korea relations refers to bilateral relations between Indonesia and North Korea. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 16 April 1964. Indonesia is one of the very few countries that still tries to maintain cordial relations with North Korea, despite the widespread international sanctions and resulting isolation imposed on North Korea, compounded with the negative reputation of its human rights, nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and Indonesia's publicly more robust engagement and partnership with South Korea.
Indonesia and Nigeria established diplomatic relations on 5 March 1965. Both countries are members of multilateral organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement, World Trade Organization (WTO), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Developing 8 Countries. Indonesia has an embassy in Abuja and Nigeria has an embassy in Jakarta.
Brazil and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1953. Both are large tropical countries endowed with rich natural resources, Brazil and Indonesia possess the largest tropical rain forest of the world that contains the world's richest biodiversity, which gave them a vital role in global environment issues, such as ensuring tropical forests protection. Both countries lead the list of Megadiverse countries with Indonesia second only to Brazil.
Indonesia and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1958. Spain identifies Indonesia as their natural ally and has named Indonesia as one of their priority nations in their foreign relations with the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia has an embassy in Madrid, while Spain has an embassy in Jakarta and a consulate in Seminyak, Bali. Today, the cooperation has expanded to various fields, including trade, culture, education, and defense technology.
Indonesia and Italy established diplomatic relations on 29 December 1949. Italy has shown strong desire to improve its relations with Indonesia, especially in intercultural understanding and trade. Indonesia recognizes Italy's strategic location and important role in the middle of Mediterranean region, while Italy has favoured relations with Indonesia, and sees Indonesia as the leader in Southeast Asia. The relations between two countries not only important to bridge the two regional communities; European Union and ASEAN, but also vital as intercultural and interfaith dialog, since Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, and Italy is the heart of the Catholic faith.
Indonesia and Sweden established diplomatic relations on 23 November 1950. In recent years both nations demonstrate growing keenness to improve bilateral relations, as each head of government exchanged visits. Indonesia has an embassy in Stockholm that also accredited to Latvia, while Sweden has an embassy in Jakarta that also accredited to East Timor.
Germany and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1952. However, relations between the people of Germany and Indonesia has stretched back to 19th-century when a large number of German nationals migrated to Dutch East Indies.
Indonesia and Norway established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1950. Since then, Indonesia and Norway has been cooperating in areas, such as climate and energy, democracy and human rights, international political issues and trade. Both nations has agreed to establish a strategic partnership against poverty and climate change, and also in promoting democracy and tolerance. Indonesia has an embassy in Oslo, while Norway has an embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesia–Qatar relations were officially established on 10 November 1976. Both countries are Muslim-majority ones, with Indonesia being the largest. Both nations are members of Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
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