South Korean Embassy in Indonesia to Launch “Sahabat Korea”, A Close Friend to Korea

South Korean Embassy in Indonesia just lauched a new program called “Sahabat Korea” (literal translation : Korea’s close friends) this year. “Sahabat Korea” is a social media supporters program to promote the activities of the South Korean Embassy in Indonesia digitally. The purpose of having this program is to increase people’s positive impression towards Korea especially for millenials under 30 years old.

There were 928 young people applying this program, but only 100 people got accepted including myself. Just like the definition of the program, we are encouraged to let others know about how Korea works here through its embassy. The people who got accepted comes from a very various background such as market researcher like me, designer, engineer, animator (illustrator), dancer, and many more. The various backgrounds hopefully can cover information from all sectors related to Korea.

The launching ceremony was held on January 2019 at the South Korean Embassy in Jakarta. We were able to try Hanbok prior to the ceremony or getting to know each other as they come from across Indonesia. The ceremony was began with Korea Traditional dance, cover dance performances and followed by speech from the South Korean Ambassador for Indonesia, Mr. Kim Chang-Beom, Representative from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Edi Yusup.

During his speech, Mr. Edi Yusup mentioned that Indonesia and Korea have a very positive relationship not only in terms of business, industrialization, and economy digital but also more personal between the presidents, Mr. Joko Widodo and Mr. Moon Jae In. He also revealed that there was a time where Mr. Joko Widodo and Mr. Moon Jae In were having conversation from morning to night and they enjoyed it. Mr. Edi Yusup personally welcoming this new project and hope that the positive relationship between Indonesia and Korea could grow not only in business or presidential level, but also between people to people.

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Korean Cultural Center (KCC), and Korea Culture and Creative Agency (KOCCA) were also delivered their presentation to let us know what they do and how’s Korea is seen from their sector. Furthermore, member of “Sahabat Korea” were divided into groups in workshops where we can know more about those 3 organization in Jakarta so that we can learn about them deeper and also give idea for a better relationship between Indonesia and Korea.

The ceremony ended with taking photo together and handing out the certificate of appointment for all members of Sahabat Korea. Hopefully, this program works really well and people’s positive impression towards Korea increased.

Kimcheers! :)