President Prabowo Subianto Arrives in Seoul for State Visit

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday evening, March 31, 2026, marking the start of a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. His aircraft, Garuda Indonesia-1, landed at Seongnam Military Air Base at approximately 7:15 p.m. local time.

Quoting Presidential Secretariat official website, President Prabowo was welcomed with full honors upon arrival. A ceremonial guard of 20 personnel stood at attention as he descended the aircraft stairs, while a 21-gun salute echoed across the base in tribute to the visiting head of state.

Among those greeting him were South Korean Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment Kim Sungwhan, Ambassador Designate to Indonesia Yoon Soongu, and Chief of State Protocol Kim Tae-jin. Representing Indonesia were Ambassador Cecep Herawan and Defense Attaché Colonel Muhammad Arif.

President Prabowo is scheduled to attend a series of official engagements during his stay, including a welcoming ceremony hosted by the South Korean President at the Blue House. The visit is expected to deepen the friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations, opening new avenues for cooperation in the years ahead.

The Seoul visit is part of President Prabowo’s wider diplomatic journey across East Asia. Earlier in the week, he completed a state visit to Japan, where he met Emperor Naruhito and held talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

These engagements underscore Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening ties with key regional partners, reflecting Jakarta’s vision of building closer cooperation in trade, security, and cultural exchange.

Later that evening, President Prabowo arrived at his hotel in Seoul, where he was greeted enthusiastically by members of the Indonesian community living in South Korea. Two Indonesian children dressed in traditional attire presented him with flowers, a gesture the President accepted with a smile and words of appreciation.

Khairul, a master’s student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), expressed pride in welcoming the President personally. He recounted a brief exchange in which President Prabowo encouraged him to persevere in his studies. “He asked where I study and gave me motivation to complete my degree,” Khairul said.

Pujianti, a doctoral student at Seoul National University from East Nusa Tenggara, shared her emotional experience of meeting the President abroad. “It is very difficult for me to travel to Jakarta to see the President, but here I had the chance to meet him where I study. I feel deeply proud,” she said.

Rima, an Indonesian resident who has lived in South Korea for many years, also described the moment as unforgettable. “I couldn’t sleep the night before. It was such an honor to be invited by the Indonesian Embassy to welcome him,” she said, adding her hope that Indonesia-Korea relations will continue to grow stronger.

President Prabowo’s visits underscore Indonesia’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with South Korea, not only in government and economic spheres but also through people-to-people connections. The warm reception from the diaspora highlighted the significance of the relationship, reflecting both pride and optimism for future collaboration. ***