Indonesia takes national day diplomacy outdoors

The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul marked the country's 81st Independence Day on Sunday in an outdoor event highlighting the "people" aspect of the Korea-Indonesia partnership.

The embassy held the event at the Mulbit Stage in Yeouido, where the reception was held alongside Festival Indonesia, featuring Indonesian food, traditional games, music, dance and fashion, along with programs involving participants from both countries.

The setting marked a departure from diplomatic national day receptions typically held at hotels or other formal venues for invited guests. Visitors who had come to the riverside for leisure or exercise could stop and watch the event.

Among the festival programs was "Rasa Kita," or "Our Taste," a joint program by South Korea's Foreign Ministry and the Indonesian Embassy centered on Korean and Indonesian cuisine.

The festival also showed "Sambal Tteokbokki," a short film drawing on food and culture from both countries, while Indonesian sports and entertainment figures took part in the festival.

Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Cecep Herawan said the event also commemorated the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian Armed Forces and 53 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Indonesia and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1973 and became special strategic partners in 2017.

Herawan cited electric vehicles and batteries, shipbuilding, defense and energy among areas of bilateral cooperation, pointing in particular to Korean investment in Indonesia's mineral processing, battery and vehicle industries.

He also identified renewable energy, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage as areas for further cooperation.

By holding the reception alongside the festival, diplomats and officials shared the riverside venue with Indonesian residents, Seoul residents and other visitors.

Herawan cited students, workers, entrepreneurs and startups among the people connecting the two countries.

"Ultimately, our partnership belongs to our people," he said.

Meanwhile, South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae, who attended as guest of honor, pointed to the bilateral partnership.

"Based on this newly upgraded special strategic partnership, I am confident that our two countries will go even further together," Chung said.