Indonesian Lawmaker Backs President's Offer to Mediate Korean Talks
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- An Indonesian lawmaker supports President Prabowo Subianto's offer to mediate dialogue between South Korea and North Korea.
- The lawmaker believes this aligns with Indonesia's "free and active" foreign policy and respects national sovereignty.
- The offer stems from a request by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who asked Prabowo to act as an intermediary.
Indonesian House of Representatives Deputy Chair Dave Akbarshah Fikarno Laksono has voiced strong support for President Prabowo Subianto's willingness to mediate dialogue between South Korea and North Korea. Laksono views this potential role as a testament to Indonesia's "free and active" foreign policy principles and a demonstration of respect for national sovereignty.
Indonesia's contribution will remain relevant in strengthening regional stability.
He emphasized that Indonesia's involvement would be crucial in bolstering regional stability. According to Laksono, Prabowo's offer signifies South Korea's confidence in Indonesian diplomacy on the global stage. He expressed conviction that Indonesia's established diplomatic track record positions it to continue playing a constructive part in fostering world peace, particularly on the Korean Peninsula.
However, Laksono cautioned against misinterpreting Prabowo's statement. He clarified that the President's remarks do not constitute a formal announcement of a diplomatic mission but rather an expression of Indonesia's readiness to act as a mediator should both parties formally request it.
His statement should be understood as an expression of Indonesia's readiness should both parties make such a request, rather than a formal announcement.
This initiative follows a meeting on July 31, 2026, where South Korean President Lee Jae-myung reportedly asked Prabowo to serve as an intermediary for dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Prabowo affirmed his readiness to visit North Korea to facilitate such discussions, noting that Seoul's request highlights Indonesia's ability to maintain close ties with various nations due to its non-aligned policy.
During my last visit to Seoul, the South Korean President asked me whether I could visit North Korea to initiate some form of dialogue.
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.