South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto agreed on April 1 in Seoul to elevate their bilateral ties to a special comprehensive strategic partnership and expand defense industry cooperation. They committed to strengthening resource supply chains amid Middle East war uncertainties. The two nations signed 10 memorandums of understanding.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held summit talks in Seoul on April 1, agreeing to upgrade their special strategic partnership to a special comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level short of a formal alliance.
The leaders committed to expanding defense cooperation based on the KF-21 fighter jet program, known as IF-X in Indonesia, set for completion in June. They expressed expectations for progress in trainer aircraft, anti-tank guided missile systems, and ammunition projects, according to a joint statement. South Korea launched the KF-21 in 2015, with Indonesia joining for technology transfers; Seoul plans to export 16 units, its first overseas sale of homegrown jets.
Amid Middle East war uncertainties affecting oil and gas, Lee urged expanded resource supply chain cooperation to minimize impacts. He noted Indonesia as South Korea's sixth-largest LNG supplier and highlighted reliance on Middle East imports. Prabowo stressed complementary strengths: South Korea's technology and Indonesia's resources and market.
The summit saw 10 MOUs signed on critical minerals, advanced technologies, AI-based health care, intellectual property, renewable and nuclear energy, and carbon capture. Korea's Export-Import Bank and Indonesia's Danantara sovereign fund agreed on financing for Korean firms in key sectors. Lee awarded Prabowo the Grand Order of Mugunghwa and gifted a traditional Korean bow set and Joseon Dynasty martial arts book.
