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Korea, Indonesia, ASEAN are true friends
ASEAN member states, including Indonesia, have been South Korea’s major trade partners and investment destinations over the past decades.
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View of downtown cityscape and Seoul tower in Seoul, South Korea. (Shutterstock/File)
S
outh Korean President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to make a state visit to Indonesia on Nov. 8 to 10. Then, he will head to Danang, Vietnam to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. His final stop will be Manila, the Philippines where he will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Three summit.
It will mark President Moon’s first trip to the Southeast Asian region since his inauguration in May. During his trip, President Moon is expected to deliver a message that the Korean government is committed to further strengthening partnerships with the countries in the region in diverse areas encompassing economic, social and cultural arenas.
ASEAN member states, including Indonesia, have been South Korea’s major trade partners and investment destinations over the past decades. ASEAN is South Korea’s second largest trading partner after China as well as the second largest investment destination after the United States. In 2007, ASEAN was the nation’s fourth largest trading partner after China, the European Union, and the United States. In 2012, however, ASEAN emerged as South Korea’s second largest trading partner after China, overtaking the EU. In 2016, trading volume between the two sides stood at US$118.8 billion. Human exchanges have been also very vigorous between South Korea and ASEAN, numbering 7.4 million in 2016.
From the perspective of trade and investment, a “young and dynamic” Indonesia with a population of 250 million, which accounts for 42 percent of the total population of ASEAN, is a country of crucial importance for South Korea. The two countries have maintained strong economic ties based on mutual trust over the past four decades. Such solid bilateral partnerships are expected to be further reinforced with President Moon’s state visit to Jakarta.
Despite differences in geographical locations and climates, South Korea and Indonesia have many things in common, ranging from resistance against colonial rules, establishment of nation states to promotion of democracy and market economy. These shared values and experiences have laid a solid foundation for the two countries to work and grow together as true friends.
South Korea and Indonesia have a mutually beneficial relationship in that they can learn from each other’s experiences. For example, Indonesia is a host country for the 2018 Asian Games, while South Korea is a host country for the 2018 Winter Olympics. The two countries can work together to ensure a success of these international sports events. As a host country for the 1986 and 2014 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics, South Korea can share with Indonesia its ample experience in successfully hosting international sporting events.
In addition, South Korea’s experience in constructing the Saemangeum Seawall will provide a useful reference and insight to Indonesia which is implementing efficient land management and natural disaster prevention projects. Constructed on the west coast of South Korea, the 33.9 kilometers-long Saemangeum Seawall is the world’s longest man-made sea dyke.
