On October 30, 2026, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with his Indonesian counterpart Arrmanatha Nasir in Atlanta as part of the Group of 20 foreign ministers’ gathering. The meeting, the first between the two leaders since Nasir took office on October 1, focused on strengthening strategic communication and expanding cooperation across defense, energy, trade and other sectors.
The talks came as Seoul and Jakarta reaffirmed their special comprehensive strategic partnership, a status upgraded during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s April state visit to South Korea. The two ministers agreed that the enhanced partnership would serve as the foundation for deeper collaboration in areas ranging from the defense industry to advanced technology and investment.
Both sides highlighted the need to strengthen strategic communication in diplomatic and security fields. They discussed ways to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in defense, trade, investment, energy and advanced technology, among other sectors. The emphasis was on creating a more seamless environment for South Korean firms operating in Indonesia.
During the meeting, Cho requested that the Indonesian government continue to support and provide attention to ensure South Korean companies can conduct business smoothly in Southeast Asia. The ministry noted that such cooperation would help facilitate smoother business conditions for South Korea’s companies in Indonesia.
The engagement underscored the growing importance of the two countries’ relationship in the context of the G20. By reinforcing strategic communication and expanding cooperative areas, Seoul and Jakarta aim to deepen trust and mutual benefit across a broad range of shared interests.
