SEOUL, April 1 (Reuters) – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks in Seoul on Wednesday with Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto, where they agreed to expand cooperation on critical minerals, technology, and clean energy, Seoul’s presidential Blue House said.
The leaders met after an official welcome ceremony at the Blue House, followed by a summit, and oversaw the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding before a luncheon, according to the presidential schedule.
The Indonesian president is also due to attend a business forum in Seoul later on Wednesday as part of his state visit, it said.
The agreements also include support for projects in renewable energy and data centres as the two countries elevate their relationship into a strategic partnership.
No deals were announced on defence cooperation, including on the joint project between the countries to develop South Korea’s homegrown KF-21 fighter jet.
Korea Aerospace Industries last month said it was in talks with Indonesia on a potential sale of KF-21 fighter jets, but said no decisions had been made. Media reports said that Jakarta was considering purchasing an initial batch of 16 aircraft.
South Korea expects Indonesia to complete a payment related to the joint development programme by the end of this year, an official told Reuters.
The two countries were also expected to advance defence ties, as well as strengthen cooperation in new growth areas such as artificial intelligence, infrastructure, shipbuilding, nuclear power, energy conversion, and cultural industries, the Blue House said in an earlier statement.
Lee is also set to award Prabowo South Korea’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, during the state visit, it said.
(Reporting by Joyce Lee, Kyu-seok Shim and Heejin KimEditing by Ed Davies)
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