1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi of Indonesia held the second meeting of the Republic of Korea-Indonesia joint committee in Seoul on December 18.

2. The joint committee meeting came pursuant to the agreement between the leaders of the ROK and Indonesia at their bilateral summit talks held on the sidelines of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in December 2014. At the meeting, a number of officials of relevant government agencies discussed in depth the situation in East Asia and key pending issues between the two countries.

3. The two sides shared the view that amid the ongoing transitional phenomenon in the region triggered by such factors as the shift in the balance of power, conflicts surrounding historical and territorial issues and continued provocations by North Korea, their two leading countries in East Asia should step up strategic communication and collaborate closely for stability in the region.

4. The two sides noted with appreciation that since forging a bilateral strategic partnership in 2006, the two countries have seen their strategic communication and cooperation deepen through robust exchanges of high-level officials.

◦ The ROK side explained the latest developments in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including inter-Korean dialogue, and asked Indonesia to play a constructive role for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The Indonesian delegation responded that active cooperation will be rendered.

◦ The two sides agreed to work more closely together on international stages, including ASEAN, MIKTA, the G20 and the PKO.

5. The two sides took note of close bilateral cooperation in the defense industry.

◦ The two sides welcomed the conclusion in November of the provisional contract between the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the government and state-run PT. DI (Dirgantara Indonesia) of Indonesia on the Korea-Indonesia Fighter Project (KFX/IFX) -- the first-ever joint international project for fighter jet development in the history of the ROK’s defense industry. They agreed to make active efforts to put the project into full gear before the end of 2015.

◦ The two sides took note of the smooth progress of a large-scale submarine-building project by a Korean company in Indonesia. Considering that the Indonesian government is seeking to attain its policy objective to become a maritime powerhouse, the ROK side proposed that the two countries work more closely together in shipbuilding and beefing up naval capabilities.

6. The two sides also exchanged a wide range of views on ways to boost Korean companies’ investment in Indonesia.

◦ The ROK side asked for continued attention of the Indonesian government to a joint steel plant construction project for it to continue to develop as a successful case of investment cooperation between the two countries. The Indonesian side responded that active efforts are being made in that regard.

◦ The ROK side, mentioning that some 2,200 Korean companies are operating in Indonesia, asked the Indonesian government to pay keen attention to challenges facing Korean enterprises, including short-term employment permits valid for less than six months being issued to those in some trades and the procedure for obtaining employment permits having been prolonged after the introduction of a relevant online system.

7. The two sides noted with appreciation extensive exchanges and cooperation between their two countries in such creative industries as filmmaking and fashion. In particular, with Triawan Munaf, head of Indonesia’s Creative Economy Agency, having been appointed as minister in charge of relevant Korean affairs, the two sides expressed hope that bilateral cooperation in creative industries will further increase.

8. The two sides also agreed to continuously step up cooperation in infrastructure construction, maritime affairs, forestry and development as well as social and cultural exchanges.


* unofficial translation