Indonesia president says willing to visit North Korea to open dialogue on request of South Korea president

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his willingness to visit North Korea to initiate dialogue, following a request from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The Indonesian leader revealed this during a meeting with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, recalling the request made during his April visit to Seoul.

"I told him, with all due respect and willingness, if you asked me to, I would go," Prabowo said regarding the potential trip to Pyongyang. He emphasized Indonesia's foreign policy principle of pursuing equally good relations with all nations, including major powers like China and the United States. Prabowo highlighted that Indonesia is perceived as having no vested interest in interfering in other countries' domestic affairs, a stance that facilitates its role as a potential mediator.

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I told him, with all due respect and willingness, if you asked me to, I would go.

South Korea's presidential office acknowledged the discussion, stating that Seoul believes Indonesia and other nations friendly with both Koreas can contribute constructively to peace on the peninsula. This initiative aligns with President Lee's efforts to ease tensions with Pyongyang since taking office. However, North Korea has repeatedly rebuffed dialogue overtures, designating South Korea as a "hostile nation" in 2024.

This is not the first time Prabowo has offered to mediate. In March, Indonesia's foreign minister mentioned Prabowo's willingness to mediate the Iran war to de-escalate regional tensions. During the April meeting, Lee and Prabowo also agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as defense and energy security. Indonesia's traditional non-aligned foreign policy positions it as a unique potential bridge between North and South Korea.

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Indonesia is seen as having no interest in meddling in other countries' domestic affairs. We hold firm to that.