ID :
63298
Sat, 05/30/2009 - 11:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/63298
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(Yonhap Interview) Indonesia could consider sending envoy to help thaw frozen Korean ties
By Tony Chang
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- Indonesia, which has diplomatic relations with both
Koreas, could consider sending a special envoy to the peninsula to help the
divided nations mend fractured ties, Jakarta's ambassador to Seoul said.
"While we believe the six-party talks can do better, we could consider sending an
envoy to help bridge and try to bring something in a positive way," Nicholas
Dammen, Indonesia's ambassador to South Korea, said in an interview Friday with
Yonhap News Agency.
Relations between South and North Korea, which have been going downhill since the
inauguration of the conservative President Lee Myung-bak government in Seoul,
further slipped after the North conducted its second nuclear test Monday. Seoul
responded by announcing its participation in a U.S.-led non-proliferation
initiative, and Pyongyang counteracted by threatening military action along the
inter-Korean sea border.
Indonesia has longstanding ties with North Korea dating from the era of President
Sukarno, who developed a special personal friendship with the North's late
founding leader, Kim Il-sung, the father of current leader Kim Jong-il.
However, the ambassador underscored that a special envoy may only be considered
when requested simultaneously by both sides. In the past, Jakarta designated Nana
Sutresna, a retired career diplomat, as the country's special envoy to the Korean
Peninsula.
"We believe that the six-party talks is a good forum to reactivate (talks to
denuclearize North Korea). But the six-party talks is rather static (at the
moment)," the ambassador said, referring to the negotiations participated in by
the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.
On North Korea's recent nuclear test, the envoy said his government is concerned,
but also noted the country's sovereignty.
"As a peace-loving country, (we believe) that developing a good weapon is not a
good idea. But again, North Korea is a a sovereign country as well. Both of you
are our friends. We are very concerned."
Indonesia is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN,
and will participate in a special summit next week at South Korea's southern
resort island of Jeju. The summit marks 20th anniversary of dialogue partnership
between South Korea and the regional body.
"I expect it (the summit) to enhance more cooperation in political security
areas, economic development, and in wide-ranging areas," the ambassador said.
Asked about bilateral agendas, he said his government hopes to improve its
economic ties with Seoul, especially in areas such as energy and technology,
where the two economies can complement each other.
"We have between two countries complementary sectors to each other. We have an
abundance of natural and human resources. Korea has technology, capital,
management capacities and so on."
"We export oil and gas to South Korea, which is a buyer of LNG. We also sell coal
and agricultural products. On the other side, we import high-tech equipments,
such as electronics, TVs and ships."
Dammen also noted that South Korea currently employs some 30,000 Indonesian
workers in its manufacturing industries. Many Korean employers "are quite happy
with them," the envoy said.
"When combining joint efforts in potential sectors, we can have a good
cooperation in the future," he said,
Just as South Korea has done in recent years, Indonesia is now opening to
foreign direct investment and hopes to see more investment coming from South
Korea, the envoy said, praising the quality of South Korean goods and services.
"Accumulative investment from South Korea amounts to some US$13 billion since
1967, which include from big names such as Samsung, LG, Daewoo and Hyundai,"
highlighted the envoy, emphasizing that Jakarta has revised its investment law to
offer tax breaks and other incentives to induce more foreign investment.
The envoy particularly stressed that Indonesia's second highway built near
Bogor, near Jakarta, 35 years ago was made by the Hyundai Group. The project was
led by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who was once the CEO of the group's
construction company.
The ambassador also praised late former President Roh Moo-hyun for his efforts to
bolster bilateral relations between the two countries. The two nations forged
comprehensive cooperation and a strategic partnership during Roh's presidency.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- Indonesia, which has diplomatic relations with both
Koreas, could consider sending a special envoy to the peninsula to help the
divided nations mend fractured ties, Jakarta's ambassador to Seoul said.
"While we believe the six-party talks can do better, we could consider sending an
envoy to help bridge and try to bring something in a positive way," Nicholas
Dammen, Indonesia's ambassador to South Korea, said in an interview Friday with
Yonhap News Agency.
Relations between South and North Korea, which have been going downhill since the
inauguration of the conservative President Lee Myung-bak government in Seoul,
further slipped after the North conducted its second nuclear test Monday. Seoul
responded by announcing its participation in a U.S.-led non-proliferation
initiative, and Pyongyang counteracted by threatening military action along the
inter-Korean sea border.
Indonesia has longstanding ties with North Korea dating from the era of President
Sukarno, who developed a special personal friendship with the North's late
founding leader, Kim Il-sung, the father of current leader Kim Jong-il.
However, the ambassador underscored that a special envoy may only be considered
when requested simultaneously by both sides. In the past, Jakarta designated Nana
Sutresna, a retired career diplomat, as the country's special envoy to the Korean
Peninsula.
"We believe that the six-party talks is a good forum to reactivate (talks to
denuclearize North Korea). But the six-party talks is rather static (at the
moment)," the ambassador said, referring to the negotiations participated in by
the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.
On North Korea's recent nuclear test, the envoy said his government is concerned,
but also noted the country's sovereignty.
"As a peace-loving country, (we believe) that developing a good weapon is not a
good idea. But again, North Korea is a a sovereign country as well. Both of you
are our friends. We are very concerned."
Indonesia is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN,
and will participate in a special summit next week at South Korea's southern
resort island of Jeju. The summit marks 20th anniversary of dialogue partnership
between South Korea and the regional body.
"I expect it (the summit) to enhance more cooperation in political security
areas, economic development, and in wide-ranging areas," the ambassador said.
Asked about bilateral agendas, he said his government hopes to improve its
economic ties with Seoul, especially in areas such as energy and technology,
where the two economies can complement each other.
"We have between two countries complementary sectors to each other. We have an
abundance of natural and human resources. Korea has technology, capital,
management capacities and so on."
"We export oil and gas to South Korea, which is a buyer of LNG. We also sell coal
and agricultural products. On the other side, we import high-tech equipments,
such as electronics, TVs and ships."
Dammen also noted that South Korea currently employs some 30,000 Indonesian
workers in its manufacturing industries. Many Korean employers "are quite happy
with them," the envoy said.
"When combining joint efforts in potential sectors, we can have a good
cooperation in the future," he said,
Just as South Korea has done in recent years, Indonesia is now opening to
foreign direct investment and hopes to see more investment coming from South
Korea, the envoy said, praising the quality of South Korean goods and services.
"Accumulative investment from South Korea amounts to some US$13 billion since
1967, which include from big names such as Samsung, LG, Daewoo and Hyundai,"
highlighted the envoy, emphasizing that Jakarta has revised its investment law to
offer tax breaks and other incentives to induce more foreign investment.
The envoy particularly stressed that Indonesia's second highway built near
Bogor, near Jakarta, 35 years ago was made by the Hyundai Group. The project was
led by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who was once the CEO of the group's
construction company.
The ambassador also praised late former President Roh Moo-hyun for his efforts to
bolster bilateral relations between the two countries. The two nations forged
comprehensive cooperation and a strategic partnership during Roh's presidency.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
