The escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula in 2023 have sparked concerns over potential regional repercussions, including in Southeast Asia. Against this backdrop, Indonesia is emerging as a potential peace broker, leveraging its strategic position to mediate between North and South Korea.

Puji Basuki, Coordinator of the Indonesia-Korea Bilateral Desk (2023–2024), highlighted this prospect at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate of East Asian Affairs. At the Indonesian Next Generation Journalist Network on Korea workshop in Jakarta in November, Puji emphasized Indonesia's capacity to contribute to regional stability. The event, themed “Reimagining Indonesia's Role: Charting a New Path for Inter-Korean Engagement and Regional Stability,” was co-organized by the Korea Foundation and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI).

“As a Southeast Asian nation, Indonesia has the potential to prevent the escalation of conflicts in East Asia, a region critical to Indonesia’s economic interests, given its significant trade and investment ties,” Puji stated, adding that instability in the Korean Peninsula would directly impact Indonesia's development.

Puji highlighted Indonesia's diplomatic assets, including its neutral stance and historical relationships with both North and South Korea. Indonesia and South Korea share a strategic economic partnership and collaborate across multiple sectors. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s ties with North Korea date back to 1961, anchored by the friendship between President Soekarno and North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. This camaraderie led to the creation of the national flower of North Korea, the Kimilsungia orchid, gifted by Soekarno.

Indonesia’s neutrality has allowed it to maintain diplomatic relations with North Korea, despite the latter's isolation. Initiatives like the Ryulgok Friendship School in Pyongyang and North Korea’s U-17 women’s football team's participation in the Asia Cup in Indonesia this year underscore this enduring relationship.

Puji noted the recent visit of North Korea’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Park Sang Gil, to Jakarta in September 2024. It was North Korea's first overseas engagement post-pandemic, reaffirming Indonesia’s status as a trusted partner. Plans to reopen Indonesia's embassy in Pyongyang, closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, further underline Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening ties.

Puji outlined several avenues through which Indonesia could foster dialogue between the two Koreas, including the upcoming 75th anniversary of the 1955 Bandung Conference in 2025. Leveraging Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN, he proposed using platforms like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to advocate for peace based on principles of non-interference, consensus-building, and mutual respect.

Meanwhile, Seong Ho Sheen, a professor of international security at Seoul National University, echoed these sentiments. He recognized Indonesia’s longstanding diplomatic relations with North Korea and its potential to serve as a bridge between the two Koreas.

“Indonesia could play a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue. Establishing a venue in Jakarta for both parties to meet on neutral ground would be an ideal starting point,” Sheen suggested.

While direct communication between Seoul and Pyongyang remains elusive, Sheen emphasized the importance of Indonesia securing trusted partners in both capitals to initiate peace talks. With its history of neutrality and commitment to fostering trust, Indonesia is well-positioned to mediate and contribute to lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.