채윤환
| 2026-03-31 14:44:12
Lee-Indonesia
Lee hails S. Korea-Indonesia partnership for KF-21 fighter jets as 'model' defense cooperation
By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung has voiced hope for deeper bilateral ties with Indonesia, touting their joint development of the KF-21 fighter jet as a "model example" of global defense cooperation.
Lee made the remarks in an interview with the Indonesian newspaper Kompas released Tuesday, a day ahead of his summit talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Seoul.
"Korean-Indonesian joint development of a next-generation fighter jet is a model example and potential global benchmark of international defense industry cooperation," Lee said.
"I hope that our mutual success will help us expand our defense cooperation in a wider range of areas, including naval vessels and air defense systems."
South Korea launched the KF-21 development program in 2015 to acquire a homegrown supersonic fighter, with Jakarta signing on as a partner.
The first production model of the jet rolled out on the tarmac last week, with Seoul planning to sign a deal to export 16 units to Indonesia.
Lee also noted the roles played by the two countries have become more "prominent" as established international norms and institutions are being challenged.
"The two countries, sharing the values of democracy, a rules-based international order and free trade, have served as important pillars, working together closely to advance multilateralism," he said.
Lee said his country's technologies and experience in economic development along with Indonesia's human and natural resources would enable them to prevent overdependence on specific markets and to diversify their economic structures.
He said the two countries plan to announce a road map for cooperation during Prabowo's state visit, which he said will serve as a new milestone in shaping the next decade of bilateral ties.
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