President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sept. 7 attends a bilateral business roundtable at a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. There, he signed 16 memorandums of understanding. (Jeon Han)

By Kim Seon Ah

President Yoon Suk Yeol on the afternoon of Aug. 7 attended a bilateral business roundtable at a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of his official visit there to attend summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN Plus Three.

At the roundtable, he lauded the results of economic cooperation over the past half century and suggested strategies for developing the bilateral partnership for another 50 years. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Indonesia.

"Indonesia is a core partner of the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative and Indo-Pacific Strategy," President Yoon said. "As ASEAN's largest economy, Indonesia is a country rich in core minerals."

"It has great potential for cooperation with Korean corporations, which lead cutting-edge industries such as electric vehicles and batteries."

"Indonesia is our major partner in responding to global agenda as well," he added. "As both countries boldly proceed with carbon neutrality, we hope for full-fledged cooperation in nuclear power such as small modular reactors to respond to the climate crisis and environmental issues and secure the basis for stable energy supply."

"Exchange and solidarity between future generations form the cornerstone of sustainable bilateral cooperation and development," the president said. "I hope that exchanges grow more active in a variety of fields."

Nineteen Korean entrepreneurs attended the roundtable including Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun. On the Indonesian side were Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Health Budi Sadikin and 17 business executives.

Sixteen memorandums of understanding were concluded at the roundtable in sectors like core minerals, nuclear energy, mobility, new city construction, health and electricity.

sofiakim218@korea.kr