Indonesian, French presidents to pay state visits to Korea in late March, early April

President Lee Jae Myung and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pose for a commemorative photo ahead of their summit held during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center in North Gyeongsang Province, Nov. 1, 2025. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

The presidents of Indonesia and France are scheduled to make state visits to Korea and hold summit talks with President Lee Jae Myung from late March to early April.

According to the presidential office on Friday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will pay a state visit to Korea from March 31 to April 2 at Lee's invitation.

The visit will mark Subianto’s return to Korea about five months after his previous visit in October last year, when he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and held bilateral talks with Lee.

The two leaders will take part in a series of official events on April 1, including a welcome ceremony, a summit meeting, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony and a state luncheon.

During their talks, they are expected to discuss ways to elevate the Korea-Indonesia Special Strategic Partnership, including enhancing cooperation in trade and defense, as well as expanding practical collaboration in emerging growth sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technology, energy and cultural and creative industries.

The leaders will also hold in-depth discussions on strengthening Korea-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relations with Indonesia — one of ASEAN’s key partners and the world’s largest Muslim-majority country — as well as on major regional developments in the Middle East and on the Korean Peninsula, and on broader global issues.

President Lee Jae Myung sits next to French President Emmanuel Macron during an expanded session held alongside a working luncheon at the G7 leaders’ summit venue in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, June 17, 2025. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog

Following the Indonesian leader’s visit, French President Emmanuel Macron will make a state visit to Korea from April 2-3 at Lee’s invitation.

Macron will be the first European leader to pay a state visit to Korea since the launch of the country’s new administration. It will also mark Macron’s first trip to Korea since taking office in 2017 and the first visit to the country by a French president in 11 years.

On the morning of April 3, the two leaders will attend an official welcome ceremony, hold summit talks, oversee the signing of treaties and MOUs, and participate in a state luncheon. During the summit, they are expected to discuss ways to elevate bilateral relations to a more strategic level and expand cooperation in a wide range of areas, including investment, AI, quantum technology, space, nuclear energy, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

The leaders are also expected to hold in-depth discussions on regional security developments, including on the Korean Peninsula, and on responses to major global issues. France is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.