South Korean PM: Asian Games Opening Impressive
President Jokowi receives South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (20/8). (Photo by: Oji/ Public Relations Division of Cabinet Secretariat).
President Joko Jokowi Widodo, accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, received an official visit by South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (8/20).
On that occasion, President Jokowi expressed his hope that the XVIII Asian Games, which unites the South Korean and North Korean delegates in one Korean flag, could strengthen the friendship between the two Koreas.
“I hope the Asian Games can strengthen friendship between the people of two Koreas (North and South), the Asian community, and also the people of Indonesia and South Korea,” President Jokowi said in his introductory remarks to the bilateral meeting of the two countries’ delegates.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi who accompanied President Jokowi on the occasion told reporters that during the meeting, South Korean Prime Minister expressed his deep condolences and sympathy for the disaster occurred in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
The Minister further said that South Korean PM highlighted the opening ceremony of the Asian Games which he considered very impressive and very successful.
“The South Korean Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to Indonesia for successfully making the Asian Games as a medium for friendship and peace between North Korea and South Korea,” Retno Marsudi stated, adding that PM Lee Nak-yeon also expressed his appreciation for the commitment and consistency of Indonesia’s position in supporting peace and stability, as well as the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula.
“Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon said that there are not many countries that consistently spread the message of peace, and Indonesia is a nation that consistently supports and contributes to achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” the Foreign Minister further said.
Regarding the world economy, Retno Marsudi said that President Jokowi and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon agreed that the worlds situation, including the economy, is uncertain and there is a trade war between America and China.
“Therefore, it is increasingly important for South Korea and Indonesia to strengthen cooperation, not only in the context of bilateral economic relations (trade and investment) but also in the context of regional economic integration,” the Foreign Minister said.
According to the Foreign Minister, Indonesia and South Korea are currently negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the two leaders hope that RCEP can be immediately finalized as soon as possible. If RCEP is finished, then a strong message will come out that Asian economic integration is going well.
(DND/OJI/ES) (RI/MMB/Naster)
