Minister Bahlil’s Precise Strategy with South-Korea on Critical Mineral

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, has invited South Korea to collaborate on nuclear development and critical minerals. The three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed covering cooperation in clean energy, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and critical minerals.

The signing took place at the Blue House Presidential Palace in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The ceremony was witnessed directly by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and the President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung.

Public policy observer Prof. Dr. Henry Indraguna, in Jakarta on Sunday, April 5, 2026, told the media that the signing of the three MoUs was not merely ceremonial. Instead, it represents a concrete step in positioning Indonesia as a key player in the global clean energy supply chain.

According to him, the step represents a precise energy diplomacy strategy. Through the collaboration, Indonesia is attempting to synergize its abundant raw mineral resources with South Korea’s technological advantages. Even, it creates a more established and sustainable downstream industrial ecosystem.

Prof. Henry Indraguna views this cooperation as a form of political courage in strengthening Indonesia’s bargaining position. He considers it a measured economic diplomacy and a milestone in deepening cooperation between South Korea and Indonesia.

“We are not only selling raw materials, but also acquiring advanced technology to ensure that national energy sovereignty truly stands on its own,” Prof. Henry conveyed.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, in front of President Prabowo Subianto, expressed his desire to elevate strategic relations with Indonesia.

“During President Prabowo’s state visit to Korea, it is highly meaningful that we will achieve historic results by upgrading our bilateral relations into a special comprehensive strategic partnership,” President Lee stated.

President Lee also stated that South Korea does not have such a special comprehensive strategic relationship with any other country in the world except Indonesia.

In addition, Henry, the Professor from Sultan Agung Islamic University in Semarang also noted that the inclusion of nuclear and hydrogen technologies in the cooperation scheme proves that the Prabowo administration is very serious about exploring stable alternative energy sources.

According to him, Bahlil’s strategy represents the Government of Indonesia’s effort to transform the nation from an object into a subject of history.

“A country must have the ‘will to power’ over its own resources. This step is a manifestation of progressive thinking that as a nation endowed with rich natural resources, vast territory, and a large population, Indonesia is inherently sovereign in utilizing these assets for the greatest prosperity and justice of its people,” he said.

Moreover, he explained that this shows Indonesia is transitioning from merely ‘existing’ to ‘becoming’ a nation that determines the direction of the world’s green energy civilization.

Prof. Henry predicts that Indonesia will reach a turning point in the green economy and technological independence, if the cooperation can be effectively realized.