Indonesia, South Korea Recall Independence Struggles Through Photography

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Culture Minister, Fadli Zon, has opened a historical photography exhibition titled “My Wish, Our Wish: Road to Freedom” in Jakarta, Wednesday, 12 August 2026. Organized by the Korean Cultural Center Indonesia, the exhibition highlights the history, struggles, and hopes for freedom through photographs and historical archives.

The exhibition commemorates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Kim Koo, a prominent figure in Korea’s independence movement. It also features historical archives and documentation of Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence as part of efforts to highlight the history of the two nations’ struggles for independence.

Fadli Zon welcomed the exhibition, which brings together history, photography, and cultural diplomacy between Indonesia and South Korea. He said historical archives play an important role in preserving collective memory and helping people understand a nation’s journey.

“Every nation wants to be free. Kim Koo was an independence figure from South Korea. In Indonesia, we have Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, the proclaimers who declared Indonesia’s independence in 1945,” he said.

He emphasized that photographs, documents, and manuscripts are important parts of historical records. According to Fadli, the dissemination of information and historical documentation provide essential evidence for preserving the memory of the struggle for independence.

Meanwhile, South Korean Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Chung Hae-kwan, said Indonesia and South Korea share an important historical connection through their respective struggles for independence. He said the exhibition provides an opportunity for people in both countries to revisit their history and learn from the spirit of previous generations.

“Kim Koo is a highly symbolic figure in the history of Korea’s independence movement,” Chung said. He expressed hope that the exhibition would encourage young people in Indonesia and South Korea to learn from and carry forward the spirit of earlier generations.

Fadli Zon reaffirmed the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to strengthening cultural cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea. The “My Wish, Our Wish: Road to Freedom” exhibition is open to the public from August 13 to 31, 2026, and is expected to strengthen historical understanding and cultural ties between the two countries.