Indonesian FM visits Pyongyang to expand bilateral economic cooperation

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa is on a three-day visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in a bid to expand economic cooperation between the two countries. Marty Natalegawa, who arrived in Pyongyang on Monday, met Kim Yong Nam, President of Presidium of Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and his DPRK counterpart Pak Ui Chun, a statement released by the foreign affairs ministry said here on Tuesday. The minister's visit was the reciprocal visit to Kim Yong Nam, who visited Jakarta in May last year. During his meeting with the DPRK's officials, the Indonesian minister proposed to send a business mission to DPRK in a bid to explore possible economic cooperation between the two nations following DPRK's plans to open special economic zone. "Two-way trade between Indonesia and DPRK grew 45 percent in the last five years," the minister said. Besides exploring more economic ties, the minister said that the two nations see promising opportunities in further developing cooperation in trade and establishing a capacity building partnership. The minister said that under the instruction of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, he also held a meeting with DPRK Foreign Affairs Minister Pak Ui Chun to particularly discuss possibilities in creating conducive condition on the Korea peninsula. The talks include denuclearization and reunification issues, the Indonesian minister said. "Indonesia now has the DPRK's intact view and opinion regarding the stability prospect on the Korean peninsula," Marty Natalegawa said, adding that he had conveyed a personal letter from President Yudhoyono to DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un during his meeting with Kim Yong Nam. Marty Natalegawa said that in the letter, the Indonesian president points out the importance of sound relationship that has been established between Indonesia and the DPRK. The chance to further improve the mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two nations is enormous, the minister said. "Mr. President (Yudhoyono) underlines the great potential in the relations between the two countries," he added. The president also stresses the importance to maintain peace and stability, particularly on the Korean peninsula as the precondition to improve the people's welfare, continue economy development in the region and in the advancement of Indonesia-DPRK economy cooperation. "Indonesian president also noted the need of a breakthrough to intensify communication between the two Korean states, including through non-conventional ways," Marty said.