By Honorary Reporter Reina Fadlila from Indonesia
Photos = Eranio de la Rosa and Varenia Aldero Wong

Having formed consular relations in 1966, Korea and Indonesia developed a close partnership that led to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973. Four young aspiring diplomats who worked as interns at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2019 hope to boost ties between both countries.

From left to right are Eranio "Nio" de la Rosa, Korean delegate Yeyoon Kim. Nanda Rafida, Eva Liliana Halim, Korean delegate Yena Kim and Varenia Aldero Wong.

Eranio "Nio" de la Rosa, Eva Liliana Halim, Nanda Rafida and Varenia Aldero Wong worked as interns at the ministry's Directorate of East Asia and the Pacific. They took part in many diplomatic events like the RI-RoK (Republic of Indonesia-Republic of Korea) Young Leaders Dialogue (YLD) in 2019 and had the opportunity to work closely with Korean delegates.

The event seeks to promote exchanges and networks between young leaders from the two countries in sectors like politics, economy and culture. The following are excerpts from a interview with the four on their experiences at the YLD and their perspectives on diplomacy.

Delegates take photos of a screen during the event in Jakarta

You interacted with diplomats from around the world, including Korean delegates, at the RI-RoK Young Leaders Dialogue. Please share what you contributed to this event.

de la Rosa: My job was to collect all information from every Korean and Indonesian delegate and make name tags for them. I also had to write the script for the speech by Santo Darmosumarto, the ministry's director of East Asia and Pacific affairs.

Wong: In the afternoon, the diplomats and I accompanied the participants to the Korean Embassy in Jakarta. As the closing event, all of us (including other interns) attended a dinner as a farewell for the participants.

Halim: For a week, I helped prepare for the event. I accompanied all the delegates during the event and interacted with them. I also welcomed and directed guests.

Rafida: We were really busy from the start after the arrival of the Korean delegates in Indonesia. We had to do all the event preparations as well as taking care of their stay in Jakarta. I was on the guest committee, and we had to input data on people who joined and help the delegates with everything they needed during the event.

The first event was a dialogue on the importance of young people's roles in a country's development. We got input from young delegates on cooperation between Korea and Indonesia. Afterwards we introduced Indonesian culture such as food from different regions and provinces to the delegates.

How did it feel to work with the Korean delegates?

Halim: I'd never accompanied delegates before, so working on the frontline and having them come from a country like Korea was exciting.

Rafida: I felt so honored for this opportunity to accompany and help delegates from the Korean Peninsula. I had discussions with various people and got to know their perspectives on Indonesia and its culture.

Wong: Contributing directly to these and other activities during my internship was an extraordinary experience. I obtained global knowledge and new insights about our relationship with Korea.

de la Rosa: I was so excited when I joined the YLD program. It was my dream to meet Korean delegates, talk about their marvelous economic structure and how they came to be the most important diplomatic partner of Indonesia.

What were memorable experiences you had at the event?

de la Rosa: I remember the dinner at Bunga Rampai Restaurant. All of the delegates, including those from Korea and Indonesia, sang together, and we took selfies with every delegate.

Rafida: I personally enjoyed introducing Indonesian specialties to the Korean delegates. I loved to see their delightful reactions after tasting the food.

Halim: The entire event was memorable for me. I could see, hear and experience how they work and what their thoughts and perspectives of diplomacy were.

Wong: Through this event, I got to know how friendly Korean diplomats are, and some of them treated me like a sibling or a child.

How would you assess the YLD program vis-a-vis relations between Korea and Indonesia?

de la Rosa: I hope this program will continue because Korea still wants to help Indonesia with development when the Indonesian capital is moved from Jakarta to Kutai, East Kalimantan. The YLD program can strengthen bilateral relations and every delegate at the event gave advice on economic relations.

Wong: This event is in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where startups and new innovations in the creative sector play an important role in the progress of a country. The potential of a nation can be developed through cooperation rather than rivalry. This program allows such events to occur.

YLD aims to enhance mutual understanding among the people of Indonesia and Korea, especially the younger generation, by bridging gaps in perception. It also aims to build networks among young leaders from both sides and produce policy recommendations. Such networks should become a source of new initiatives that strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Rafida: This program has many opportunities for both countries because culture can be used to introduce the uniqueness or characteristics of each country and help young people to innovate. It discusses the importance of young people who will eventually become leaders of world peace, development, economic progress and innovation. This program not only provides opportunities for young people to show their abilities but also introduce their respective cultures. 

Halim: This program is a breath of fresh air toward strengthening bilateral cooperation. I think it's quite efficient and can help the younger generation. There are people with lots of ideas and new visions for sociocultural affairs, technology, food, education, technology and economics. 

Varenia Aldero Wong poses at Pancasila Building of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

What is your hope for diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Korea?

Wong: My hope is that bilateral ties remain consistent and transparent and for an increasingly closer relationship.

de la Rosa: From what I've experienced, Korea is definitely the most important partner of Indonesia in every regard. Naturally, I wish for ties to be peaceful, harmonious and delightful.

Halim: I hope that the diplomatic relationship develops further and creates friendly bonds that are inseparable. Good relations would provide advantages to both sides.

Rafida: I hope that both countries can create more opportunities for young people and support them. I wish for both nations to invest more in potential leaders who will lead relations between the two countries as well as the global economy. 

Varenia Aldero Wong poses with a delegate at the 2019 YLD Program.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.