"During the 20th ASEAN-South Korea Summit, Jokowi had specifically proposed to invite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to attend the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-South Korea Cooperation, following ongoing positive development (between the two Koreas)," Indonesia`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi noted here on Thursday.
With regard to President Joko Widodo`s proposal, Marsudi stated that Moon as well as some of ASEAN`s leaders are keen to follow.
"There is nothing wrong with inviting North Korea to the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-South Korea Cooperation," she noted, adding that the presence of North Korea would add a positive gesture of their strong commitment to peace building in the Korean Peninsula.
Earlier, on his remarks on the 20th ASEAN-South Korea Summit in Singapore on Wednesday, President Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, had emphasized Indonesia`s support for South Korea and North Korea`s peace effort.
"In the midst of many uncertainties, some hopes still exist, such as the hope of security and stability in the Korean Peninsula, which would not be possible unless there is no strong commitment from Moon to build the peace," he remarked.
Since its independence in 1945, Indonesia had been maintaining good relations with both South Korea and North Korea and continuing to support the peace building effort for the two Koreas.
"Indonesia fully supports this peace process, and this message has been conveyed consistently, among others, during my meeting with South Korean prime minister and North Korean special envoy ahead of the Asian Games opening ceremony on Aug 18," Jokowi remarked.
During the North Korea-South Korea Summit in Pyongyang from Sept 18 to 20, Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in had inked a joint declaration called "Pyongyang Declaration," which contains some agreements as a milestone to start unification negotiation.
Through the Pyongyang Declaration, the two Koreas agreed to stop military training along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, bid a joint-candidacy to host Summer Olympic 2023, open train lanes and land roads, as well as normalize the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Kumgang tourism project.
(T.A060/INE)
Reporting by Azis Kurmala, Azizah Fitriyanti
Reporter: Azizah Fitriyanti
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
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