Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo received an official visit from South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-Yon at Merdeka Palace here on Monday.

"Good morning," Widodo said to his guest. Lee then wrote his name in the book of state guests in the credentials room at the front of Merdeka Palace, and the meeting continued in the oval room. It was also attended by a number of working cabinet ministers.

"I hope the Asian Games can strengthen the friendship between the two Koreas, the Asian community and also the people from Indonesia and South Korea," said President Joko Widodo, which was then translated to English by translators.

The President was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and the chairperson of the Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf.

Both contingent athletes from North Korea and South Korea agreed to perform under the same flag, Korea, at the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games taking place at Bung Karno Stadium, Senayan on Sunday.

At that moment, the athletes of both countries held together the unification flag. This is the second time this year, before the two countries did it at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics.

PM Lee also expressed his condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

"Thank you for the warm welcome and greetings from the President. Previously, I wanted to express my condolences to the victims of the natural disasters that occurred in Lombok," said Lee.

The successive earthquake that shook Lombok measured 6.9 SR on Sunday (8/19) at 19.56 WIB, causing severe shocks in East Lombok and North Lombok with an intensity of VI-VII MMI (strong).

Temporary data collected by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Post until Monday (20/8) at 10.45 WIB recorded 10 deaths, 24 injured persons, 151 damaged houses (seven heavily damaged, five damaged, 139 lightly damaged) and six worship facilities. Total power outages caused communication and data collection facilities to be hampered.

Reported by Desca Lidya Natalia
Edited by Eliswan, Rahmad Nasution

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018