TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin observed the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Koreans in Indonesia, during a virtual commemoration held on Sunday, to mark the sound bilateral relations between Indonesia and Korea.

"I, as the Vice President of Indonesia, would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Korean citizens to Indonesia. Today, 100 years ago, Korean people were recorded to have set foot in Indonesia for the first time," Ma'ruf Amin said in a video statement on Sunday.

The arrival of the Koreans for the first time had occurred before Indonesia's independence, hence several of them had helped Indonesia fight for independence, he said.

"There were Koreans who had helped fight for Indonesian independence , so when they died, they were buried in a hero's cemetery. This indicates that the relationship between the two countries has long been close," he remarked.

In the economic field, Korea's investment in Indonesia has been increasing, including in the industries of technology products, food and entertainment, according to him.

"This sound relationship must be maintained and enhanced. This mutually beneficial investment also needs to be stepped up," the Vice President noted.

With the increasing number of Korean products being produced in Indonesia, Ma'ruf Amin hoped that there will be technology transfer to help boost the Indonesian industrial sector.

"Indonesia can learn a lot from investment and technology transfer, that could improve the quality of Indonesian products. They could be exported. It is hoped that more Indonesian products can be accepted in Korea," he added.

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