Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
Moon holds summit with Indonesian leader in Seoul
President Moon Jae-in speaks as his Indonesian President Joko Widodo listens on during their bilateral summit at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Widodo, who is on a three-day state visit to Seoul beginning Sunday, met with Moon to seek bilateral cooperation and boost ties between the two countries whose relations were upgraded to a “special strategic partnership” last November. / Yonhap
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
President Moon Jae-in met with visiting Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo, Monday, to seek bilateral cooperation and boost relations between the two countries.
“Indonesia is a dear friend of ours and a key partner of the New Southern Policy that our government is emphasizing. The two countries have been seeing eye-opening cooperative relations in the past 45 years of diplomatic ties,” Moon said during a summit held at Cheong Wa Dae, according to pool reports.
“Today, I hope to hold in-depth discussions with President Widodo on ways to cooperate more so that the two countries can further develop their bilateral special strategic partnership,” Moon said.
In response, Widodo pledged to make “actual changes” in the bilateral relationship.
President Widodo's visit follows President Moon Jae-in's trip to Jakarta last year. In the meeting last November the two leaders agreed to upgrade their countries' relations to a “special strategic partnership.”
Moon's remarks came amid the government's efforts to build better political relations in the region.
Moon announced his New Southern Policy during his trip to Indonesia last year, under which he aims to diversify the South's diplomatic and economic ties to Southeast Asian countries beyond China and the U.S., such as Indonesia and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Earlier in the day, Moon held the first welcoming ceremony at a national palace outside of the presidential office to welcome the Indonesia president who began a state visit Sunday.
“At the upcoming summit, the two leaders are expected to discuss specific ways to strengthen the countries' special strategic partnership,” Cheong Wa Dae said before the meeting.
Meanwhile, leaders of South Korea's conglomerates met with Widodo to discuss ways to boost ties and seek further cooperation from the government there.
Lotte Group Vice Chairman Hwang Kag-gyu, who co-represents the retail giant's holding company, met the Indonesian leader to brief him on the firm's businesses in the Southeast Asian country. CJ Group Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik also met with Widodo. According to CJ, Widodo asked the Korean company to expand investment in its culture and bio businesses in Indonesia.