In 2023, South Korea ranked 7^th in realized investments in Indonesia, with investments totaling US$2.5 billion.

To strengthen the economic cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto has been active in holding bilateral meetings with the government and businesspeople from South Korea.

In recognition for his endeavors to spur and maintain collaboration between Indonesia and South Korea, particularly in the field of economics, trade, investment and education, Airlangga earned the Doctor Honoris Causa degree from Gyeongsang National University (GNU) in Jinju City, South Korea, on May 21. 

“I am, indeed, thankful for the incredible appreciation that I received from Gyeongsang National University. With the spirit of mutually supporting partnership, looking ahead, I hope that the strategic collaboration in diverse sectors between Indonesia and South Korea can be further enhanced and give great benefit for the two countries,” said Minister Airlangga.

The prestigious recognition is an appreciation for Airlangga for his full support and dedication to spurring collaboration and partnership between Indonesia and South Korea.

The award was directly conferred by GNU President Kwon Soon-Ki.

During the event, Airlangga delivered a scientific oration and laid out the 2045 Indonesian Golden Vision, global economic and geopolitical conditions, the middle-and-long-term economic strategy and Indonesia’s commitment to collaboration and global reform.

On top of that, Minister Airlangga also revealed the big strides that Indonesia has taken to become the first Southeast Asian country to become a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

“I congratulate Pak Airlangga for the Doctor Honoris Causa degree and we are proud of him because Pak Airlangga has become part of GNU alumni. In accordance with GNU’s motto ‘Always Become a Pioneer’, we appreciate Pak Airlangga for his personal and professional expertise in the field of economics and also his capability to developing the relationship between the two countries,” GNU Alumni Chairman Jeong Taek Soo.

Founded in 1910, Gyeongsang National University was one of the excellent national universities in South Korea.  On March 1, 2012, GNU was integrated into Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology.

The university covers diverse disciplines, including College of Humanities, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Technics, and Education. What makes the university special is that it has achieved good performance in the  discipline of life, machine technique, aeronautics, nano technology, advanced material technics, and chemical engineering.

“We hope that with the appreciation, Indonesia’s economic performance will be increasingly recognized globally. The conferral of the Doctor Honoris Causa degree can, at the same time, serve as a stimuli for all of us to continue to keep national economy resilient to brace for the 2045 Golden Indonesia vision,” said Minister Airlangga.

Apart from receiving the Doctor Honoris Causa, Minister Airlangga also met with South Korea’s  business people in his visit to the country to discuss the collaboration opportunity in the field of automotive, electronics, semiconductor, and the development of hydrogen-based fuel in Indonesia.

The two countries share their view to continually foster collaboration to drive the creation of various innovative solutions for the economy of the two countries in the future.

This article was published in collaboration with Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Republic of Indonesia