KF뉴스레터-‘Korea-Indonesia Cultural Cooperation to Promote Bilateral Relations’

‘Korea-Indonesia Cultural Cooperation to Promote Bilateral Relations’

On Aug. 11, 2008, Korea Foundation President Yim Sung-joon delivered a lecture at Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia, on the subject of “Korea-Indonesia Cultural Cooperation for Promoting Bilateral Relations,” during which he shared his thoughts and suggestions for efforts to implement a diverse range of cultural exchange activities between Korea and Indonesia.

Cultural Capacity of Indonesia
We know that Indonesia is a country with many important resources. Its petroleum, natural gas, coal, lumber, rubber, and other natural resources are the envy of natural resource-poor countries, such as Korea. But the country has many more resources and capacities that can be utilized in increasing its international role.
Indonesia is home to the world’s fourth-largest population, so there are definitely enough human resources that can benefit the country, and that is the most powerful resource of them all. The country also has the largest number of Muslims in the world. Therefore, the country’s understanding of the Islamic world is very valuable in helping to harmony and understanding between the Middle East and the Far East. Indonesia is a very diverse society, with more than some 500 local languages and 300 different ethnic and cultural groups.
The country has had its share of conflicts and struggles because of these diversities and complexities, but it has accumulated its knowledge of life of a multicultural society. The issues of resources, religions, and cultural diversity are some of the most important and pressing issues in this world of globalization. So, Indonesia has a great potential to be a very influential p in the world, because it is directly involved in all of these issues. As a friend and international partner, Indonesia has many capacities and attributes that Korea can learn and benefit from through cooperation.

Korea-Indonesia Relations
Korea and Indonesia have had a close relationship since formal diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1973. Since 1981, the presidents of Korea and of Indonesia have visited each other’s country for bilateral summits. Indonesia has diplomatic relations with both South and North Korea. This puts Indonesia in a special position to be able to relate to both Koreas, which few countries in the world have.
Indonesia is a part of the Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, which was concluded last year. Indonesia is a leader of the ASEAN, and Korea plans to expand cooperation with ASEAN in international issues, such as the North Korean nuclear problem and the ASEAN+3 framework.
Korea and Indonesia have had many similar experiences historically. The two countries both became independent from colonial rule after the end of World War II in 1945. Both countries went through political upheavals for most of the 20th century. Now both are republics, working toward a more fully democratic system. At the end of the last century, both countries were hit hard by the Asian economic crisis. I believe that these common experiences can a sense of community between the two countries.

Cultural Cooperation
In that sense, the Korea-Indonesia Cultural Cooperation Agreement that our two countries signed last year is significant, in that our two countries have decided to seek specific and realistic steps for cultural cooperation. As a part of this Agreement, the two countries have set up a Joint Cultural Commission and had a first meeting in May this year, right here in Yogyakarta.
In the meeting, we discussed the interests of Indonesians in Korean culture and language, and the efforts to establish more university departments that teach Bahasa Indonesian in Korea. Also, the Commission participants recognized that there are relatively few exchanges between the two countries of traditional cultures, such as traditional dance, music, and ceramics, and thus sought opportunities to promote performances and exhibitions of these art forms. We have set up plans to distribute more informational materials, books, and other resources to each other’s country, so that the citizens of our countries can have access to the other’s culture and way of life.
There are definitely many areas in which bilateral cultural cooperation can be undertaken. Both countries have recognized that there is a need to increase bilateral exchanges in such areas as art exhibitions, performing arts, films, tourism, and sports. And we discussed the need to expand promotion of Korean culture in other regions of Indonesia. I believe that the Joint Cultural Commission will soon set up specific plans for these endeavors.

Korea Foundation’s Presence
The Foundation has been working closely with Gadjah Mada University for 10 years now. I recognize that this University is one of the most prestigious institutes in Indonesia, and I was extremely pleased to learn of the University’s intention to expand its role and program for Korean Studies.
The Korea Foundation has dispatched Korean professors to teach the language, provided materials to build up the library collection of Korean Studies, and supported workshops for training of middle school teachers of social studies here. The Foundation has supported Indonesian students and scholars to study about Korea, both here and in Korea. We have also sponsored the performances of several Korean traditional dance troupes in Indonesia, and we have supported events to promote Indonesian culture in Korea, such as the Indonesian Film Festival at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center last year.
This year, we remain committed to our partnership with Gadjah Mada University, and also with the University of Indonesia, in promoting Korean Studies. We plan to hold workshops for scholars and teachers of Korean culture and language, and invite several prominent Indonesians in the fields of arts and culture to Korea, to further develop cooperative relationships. Also, we are looking to increase our presence at several other universities in Indonesia.

Conclusion
The Korea Foundation is proud to be a part of the efforts to increase Korea’s cultural cooperation and bilateral relations with Indonesia. I firmly believe that education of each country’s best and brightest of the other’s cultures and values is one of the most important and effective ways to increase understanding between two countries over the long term. The Korea Foundation will thus continue its commitment in this regard.
Korea and Indonesia have many aspects that can be learned from each other. We should be proud of the friendly relations that our two countries have maintained over the years. But there is a lot of room for the expansion of these relations. Cultural relations is one area which is often overlooked amidst political and economic relations. However, political and economic relations can shift according to different national interests and international developments. On the other hand, it is the cultural and human relations that can survive over the long term. The Korea Foundation is firmly committed to this cause, and we look forward to reinforcing the partnership relations with our friends in Indonesia.

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‘Korea-Indonesia Cultural Cooperation to Promote Bilateral Relations’

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