Indonesia and North Korea Committed to Enhancing Friendly Bilateral Ties

Indonesia and North Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing friendly bilateral ties and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.

IDXChannel - Indonesia and North Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing friendly bilateral ties and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. 

This commitment was highlighted during a bilateral meeting between Indonesia's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Pahala Nugraha Mansury and his counterpart, Pak Sang Gil, on September 18 in Jakarta.

The visit by the North Korean Vice Foreign Minister was part of a tour across four Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia, with Indonesia being the final destination.

 “This is aimed at bolstering bilateral consultations in various areas, including youth exchanges and international development cooperation,” Pahala said in a media release. 

The discussion also emphasized the critical importance of peace and stability in the region. Both sides shared the views on situation on the Korean Peninsula and discussed cooperation in ASEAN-led platforms.

The last visit by a North Korean Vice Minister to Indonesia was in 2015, making this the first such visit in nine years. 

"We greatly value our strong relationship with Indonesia, which has been nurtured since the era of our two countries' founding fathers," Pak said.

Indonesia and North Korea have maintained bilateral relations since the 1960s, a legacy rooted in the friendship between President Soekarno and President Kim Il Sung. As members of the Non-Aligned Movement, both countries have strengthened their diplomatic ties by establishing embassies in Jakarta and Pyongyang.​ (Wahyu Dwi Anggoro)