President Jokowi Arrives in Seoul

Seoul (Antara Bali) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) arrived in Seoul, South Korea, at 5:05 local time or 3:05 Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Sunday.

He was welcomed by Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea John A Prasetio. The President was also greeted by a number of South Korean officials, among others South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Taiyong Cho, Director General for Protocol Affairs of the South Korean Foreign Ministry Lee Jung-il and Director General for Southeast Pacific Affairs Kang Yong Hoon.

Jokowi upon arriving at the airport was also greeted with 21 gun salutes and was later driven to Lotte Hotel where he would spend the night.

Ministers and state officials accompanying the President included Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong, Chief Presidential staff Teten Masduki and Presidential Special Staff for Communications Johan Budi SP.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Franky Sibarani are already in Seoul ahead of the presidents departure.

The President and entourage will stay in South Korea during the state visit until May 18, 2016.

The Head of State is scheduled to meet Indonesian community in South Korea at the Indonesian embassy in Seoul, on Sunday evening.

On Monday, Jokowi and South Korean President Park Geun-hye are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on political, economic and socio-cultural issues.

During the presidents visit, a number of memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed, according to South Koreas ambassador to Indonesia, Taiyoung Cho.

He explained that the MOUs will cover several fields, including the environment, creative industry, forestry, peat land, trade and others.

South Korea is the fifth biggest investor in Indonesia, with total investment reaching US$1.2 billion while trade between the two countries peaked at US$30 billion in 2011.

President Jokowi is also scheduled to hold business meetings, including a one-on-one meeting and a luncheon round table discussion, with 20 biggest businessmen in South Korea.

He will also give a speech at the Asian Leadership Meeting, the biggest discussion forum in South Korea on leadership and innovation.

Minister Retno Marsudi earlier informed that South Korea is one of the main partners of Indonesia when it comes to trade, investment and tourism.

Indonesia also plans to partner with South Korea to expedite the pace of industrialization in the country, she said.

From South Korea, Jokowi will proceed to Sochi, Russia, for ASEAN- Russia Summit.

He will stay in Russia until May 20, and is expected to return to Jakarta on May 21.(WDY)