Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto revealed that during his state visit to South Korea in April, President Lee Jae-myung asked if he could visit North Korea to initiate dialogue. Prabowo stated he responded affirmatively, saying he would go if the South Korean government made an official request.
During a meeting with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce at the presidential palace, Prabowo noted, "During my visit in April, the South Korean president asked, 'Could you visit North Korea to start a dialogue in any form?'" He added, "I replied that I would respect and gladly go if there was an official request from the South Korean government."
Prabowo explained that the question from President Lee reflected trust in Indonesia's foreign policy, which emphasizes independence and neutrality in international matters. He reiterated Indonesia's commitment to maintaining a non-aligned foreign policy and not joining any specific military alliances, which allows for cooperation with countries that have differing interests.
"Indonesia is seen as a country that does not interfere in the internal affairs of any nation," Prabowo said. "We firmly uphold that principle." He also expressed a desire to improve relations with all neighboring countries and promote reconciliation, stating, "We are working to propose approaches for dialogue."
Historically, Indonesia has championed a non-aligned neutral diplomacy, maintaining friendly relations with both Western nations, including the United States, and countries like China and Russia. Following the outbreak of conflict between the U.S. and Iran in late February, Indonesia offered to mediate, with Prabowo expressing willingness to visit Tehran if both nations agreed.
In this context, a Blue House official remarked, "The government believes that countries like Indonesia, which maintain friendly relations with both North and South Korea, can play a constructive role in achieving peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, and we are continuously seeking related cooperation measures." The official recalled that during the April 1 summit between South Korea and Indonesia, President Lee explained the government's policies for peace and joint growth on the Korean Peninsula and requested Indonesia's constructive role, to which Prabowo reaffirmed support for denuclearization and peace on the peninsula.
Prabowo had previously visited South Korea in April for a state visit, where he held a summit with President Lee. The two leaders agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship from a 'special strategic partnership' established in 2017 to a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' and to enhance cooperation in areas such as defense and energy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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