TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-South Korean businessmen has made a commitment to invest 18 billion dollars in Indonesia. The commitment was conveyed in a business meeting on Monday during President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s visit to South Korea.

The meeting was attended by Trade, Industry, and Energy Minister Joo Hyung-hwan and the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Indonesia Taiyoung Cho.

After the meeting, Jokowi attended a one-on-one business meeting with the Chairman of Lotte Group and the Chairman of POSCO. He then attended a business luncheon with South Korean businessmen. Jokowi visits South Korea with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong, Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Franky Sibarani and Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

The two countries discussed bilateral ties in the meeting, the Palace spokesman Ari Dwipayana said in a press release. Seven memoranda of understanding were made. South Korean President is set to become a partner in accelerating industrialization in Indonesia. The cooperation between the two countries include trade, investment, creative industry, the environment, maritime affairs, Indonesian citizens protection, and defense sectors.

A trusted source said that both countries also discussed cooperation in maintaining international security, terrorism and radicalism eradication, as well as the Korean Peninsula issue.

EGI ADYATAMA | MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI