Beyond Trade And Investment Figures

South Korean Ambassador Kim Chang-beom Underscores Importance Of People-to-people Relations.

- Marella Putri

In his visit to Indonesia – the first stop of his ASEAN tour in November last year – South Korean President Moon Jae-in emphasized Indonesia as a “Special Strategic Partner of the Republic of Korea (ROK).” The “New Southern Policy”, as announced by President Moon at the Korea-Indonesia Business Forum, aims to improve cooperation with ASEAN to balance its relations with the four major powers (China, Japan, the US and Russia) in the Korean Peninsula by encompassing values of people, peace, and prosperity.

As he underscores Indonesia as the largest economy in Southeast Asia and one of the top trading partners of South Korea, President Moon plans to enhance bilateral cooperation by revitalizing and diversifying economic cooperation to include defense, tourism and industry, as well as expanding trade items.

On the special occasion of the 45th anniversary of RI-ROK diplomatic relations this September, Forbes Indonesia interviewed South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Chang-beom, who is determined to nurture and to strengthen the bond between the peoples of the two nations beyond strategic issues.

Forbes Indonesia: Could you elaborate the significance of Indonesia as the first destination in President Moon Jae-in’s ASEAN trip in November last year?

Kim Chang-beom: Symbolically, it’s quite meaningful. At the business forum here, President Moon through his speech kicked off his ‘New Southern Policy’, which is to emphasize and to further strengthen close cooperation in trade and investment with ASEAN as a whole and with RI in particular. Nonetheless, we feel that people-oriented collaboration is more important than figures in trade and investment.