1. On March 13, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun held the Second Vice Ministerial-Level Strategic Dialogue with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Pahala Nugraha Mansury in Seoul. The dialogue covered a broad range of cooperation areas, including bilateral relations, defense and the defense industry, economic security (such as EV-batteries and critical minerals), nuclear power plant and energy, maritime cooperation, climate change, and regional and global affairs.

2. Both the vice ministers appreciated the remarkable achievements of the bilateral relationship, highlighting continued close communication through various consultative mechanisms and active high-level exchanges including the summit and the Joint Commission Meeting of the foreign ministers in 2023, and the foreign ministers’ meeting and this dialogue in 2024.

3. Vice Foreign Minister Kim emphasized the need to succeed in completing the joint development program for fighter jets (KF-21/IF-X) with Indonesia's support, and Vice Foreign Minister Pahala assured active efforts from the Indonesian side. Vice Foreign Minister Kim expressed hope to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia, a key economic security partner in ASEAN, in areas including the EV eco-system, batteries and critical mineral supply chains. He also highlighted the importance of addressing challenges faced by Korean companies in Indonesia, such as the import approval system, and requested Indonesian attention and support for Korean companies’ participation in infrastructure projects, including the construction of its new capital city (Nusantara).

4. Vice Foreign Minister Pahala acknowledged Korean companies’ significant role in advancing high-tech and future industries in Indonesia while guaranteeing to create a more favorable investment environment for them. The two vice ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in combating climate change and to promote green transitions, including carbon neutrality, marine environment protection, and forest conservation.

5. The vice ministers also exchanged views on the developments surrounding the Korean Peninsula, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and cooperation on the international stage. With respect to circumstances surrounding the Korean Peninsula, they shared the view that North Korea’s continued provocations and its military cooperation with Russia are posing great threats to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the entire international community. In addition, the two sides agreed to step up cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels, including ASEAN.

6. Furthermore, Vice Foreign Minister Kim conveyed his condolences for the Indonesian victims of the fishing vessel capsize in waters off the southern coast of Korea on March 9, 2024, assuring that the Korean government had been engaging in all-out rescue and search efforts, mobilizing all available assets. Vice Foreign Minster Pahala expressed gratitude for Korea's prompt response and close communication with Indonesia following the incident.