President Lee holds summit with Indonesian leader, elevates ties to a "special comprehensive strategic partnership"

According to The Financial News, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will hold a summit on the 1st at Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House) with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is on a state visit to Korea. The two leaders will also attend a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony and a state luncheon. Defense industry cooperation is expected to be a major topic, including the potential export to Indonesia of the KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, whose first mass-production unit has just rolled out.
On the occasion of this state visit, South Korea and Indonesia will upgrade their bilateral relationship to a "special comprehensive strategic partnership". The two countries aim to substantially strengthen cooperation in new growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, infrastructure, shipbuilding, nuclear power, energy transition, and cultural and creative industries, as well as to further advance collaboration in trade, investment, defense, and the arms industry.
In particular, President Lee plans to confer the Grand Order of Mugunghwa on President Prabowo of Indonesia during his state visit.
Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung stated in a written briefing, "By highly valuing President Prabowo's contribution to promoting friendly relations between Korea and Indonesia, including his active support for Korean companies operating in Indonesia, we are extending the highest level of protocol."
Kang added, "As this is President Prabowo's first bilateral visit to Korea since taking office, we have prepared the official welcome ceremony with special courtesy," and continued, "When President Prabowo's vehicle enters Cheong Wa Dae, around 70 members of the traditional military band and honor guard will escort the car, and about 180 people will line up to hold a grand welcome ceremony."
The state luncheon menu has been designed to show respect for Indonesia's religion and culture and to symbolize harmony between the two nations.
Based on halal ingredients, the Korean menu will be complemented with items favored by Indonesians, such as sambal sauce, Gado-gado salad, and Mandheling coffee, to express bilateral harmony. In consideration of religious traditions that avoid alcohol, apple juice will be served instead of a toast drink. The luncheon will be hosted by Jung Eun-hye, an anchor from Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) who spent her school years in Indonesia.
After the state luncheon, the leaders' friendship program will feature a performance by the Army Taekwondo Demonstration Team. This reflects the personal interests of President Prabowo, who serves as president of a pencak silat association and has a special passion for traditional martial arts.
Kang explained that the performance, to be held on the lawn of Nokjiwon Garden in front of Sangchunjae, will be both the first show by the Taekwondo demonstration team at Cheong Wa Dae and its first performance for foreign guests since the team was established in January this year. The Army Taekwondo Demonstration Team plans to showcase a variety of routines, including poomsae, breaking techniques, and a Taekwondo dance performance set to "Arirang."
Gifts to be displayed at Sangchunjae during the friendship event have been chosen to symbolize defense industry cooperation between the two countries while also reflecting President Prabowo's personal tastes.
Kang said, "Taking into account President Prabowo's exceptional interest in martial arts, having served as commander of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (ROK-SWC) and as Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, we prepared a traditional Korean archery bow set with special arrows. Recognizing that he is an avid reader with a strong interest in history and military culture, we also prepared an English edition of the Joseon-era martial arts manual 'Muyedobotongji (Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts).'" She added, "At the residence where the president is staying, we have placed a welcome kit that reflects his fondness for the number eight, including a figure-eight-shaped commemorative cake and a set of traditional Korean sweets presented in an octagonal box."
cjk@fnnews.com Reporter Choi Jong-geun Reporter