In brief
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met Indonesian counterpart Arrmanatha Nasir in Atlanta on Oct. 30 to agree on strengthening strategic communication and expanding broader cooperation. The meeting reaffirmed the special comprehensive strategic partnership upgraded in April and will focus on defense, advanced technology, and trade. The talks took place during the G20 foreign ministers’ session and highlight the growing partnership amid regional dynamics.
Foreign Ministers Cho Hyun of South Korea and Arrmanatha Nasir of Indonesia met in Atlanta on Thursday during the Group of 20 foreign ministers’ gathering, a first since Nasir’s appointment on Oct. 1, to agree on steps to strengthen strategic communication and broaden cooperation across defense, energy, trade, advanced technology and other sectors.
Yonhap reports that the ministers reminded each other that the two nations had upgraded their ties to a special comprehensive strategic partnership during President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to South Korea in April, and pledged to further develop collaboration under that framework.
Both sides emphasized the defense industry as a priority, agreeing to deepen joint projects, share advanced technology and investment, and to create smoother business conditions for South Korean companies operating in Indonesia, according to the Seoul foreign ministry’s statement relayed by Yonhap.
The meeting also covered the broader scope of diplomatic and security fields, with the ministers calling for greater strategic communication to support quick, coordinated responses to regional challenges, Yonhap added.
The Singapore‑based G20 session, which ran Oct. 30‑31, set the backdrop for the talks, illustrating the importance of the two countries' pivot to a closer partnership amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
In a brief statement, the Seoul foreign ministry said that Cho had asked the Indonesian government to continuously support and monitor Korean firms in Indonesia, ensuring they can conduct business more smoothly and safely.
The two ministers also examined ways to deepen cooperation in advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, and to expand trade and investment ties, a move that could help both sides address supply‑chain challenges during a post‑COVID recovery.
