Indonesia and North Korea share a unique and unlikely friendship, built on decades of diplomatic ties, cultural exchanges, and historical connections.
The diplomatic relationship between Indonesia and North Korea is a very unique one. It was a tale of unlikely friends.
As someone from Indonesia, I find it fascinating that our country is home to one of the few North Korean (DPRK) embassies around the world, right here in Jakarta.
There is nothing similar, political ideologies or cultural or anything, between Indonesia and North Korea, but somehow we've managed to build a unique bond between the two countries for decades.
North Korean founder Kim Il-Sung and Indonesian President Soekarno, 1965.
How It All Began (A Cold War Connection)
It all started in the early 1960s, during the height of the Cold War
Indonesia’s first president Sukarno was committed to maintain an independent foreign policy with Non-Aligned Movement, so choosing neither Western or Eastern superpowers.
At the same time, North Korea's founding leader Kim Il-Sung was leading a country with an aftermath of the unresolved Korean War (1950s), which was focusing on self-reliance and resisting external influence.
When Sukarno and Kim Il-sung met in 1965, their shared views on independence and resistance to imperialism laid the foundation for a strong personal and political connection.
As a gesture of the two nations' friendship, Sukarno gifted Kim Il-sung a rare orchid, which was later named Kimilsungia in his honour.
Today, this flower holds national significance in North Korea and is displayed prominently at the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Flower Exhibition Hall in Pyongyang.
Read more on Kimilsungia Flower Travel Guide here.
A Diplomatic Bond Through Changing Times
As Indonesia transitioned from Sukarno’s leadership to Suharto’s New Order regime in the late 1960s and eventually evolved into the modern democracy it is today, its relationship with North Korea remained stable.
Fast forward to 2015, Sukarno’s daughter, Megawati Sukarnoputri, became president and made history as the first, and so far only Indonesian leader to visit Pyongyang.
Overtime, the political landscapes of both nations shifted, but cultural and sports exchanges helped maintain ties.
North Korean athletes competed in events like the Asian Games, while Indonesian audiences were introduced to North Korean art and performances.
These moments of cultural diplomacy helped foster understanding beyond official politics.
Joint stamp issue to highlight the relationship, 2015.
The Assassination of Kim Jong-Nam
Then it came 2017, a significant event that challenged the North Korean and Indonesian relationship.
Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was assassinated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Two women, one being an Indonesian and one Vietnamese, were arrested and accused of carrying out the attack using a highly toxic nerve agent.
Vietnam strongly defended its citizens, but Indonesia took a more diplomatic approach by offering support to its nationals while maintaining its neutral stance.
The incident could have strained relations, but it didn't change the political relationship between Indonesia and North Korea.
Indonesia’s Role in Diplomatic Efforts
As a leading member of the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia has encouraged North Korea to engage in diplomatic discussions with peaceful dialogue and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
It has helped tremendously to de-escalate tensions with the international community.
Unlike many Western nations, Indonesia has never severed diplomatic ties with North Korea.
Both countries continue to operate embassies in each other’s capitals.
What's in the future for both countries?
To this date, Indonesia’s relationship with North Korea is kept low-profile but still very strong.
Even though there are no major economic partnerships, yet diplomatic ties remain strong.
Unless something major is happening, quite likely it will remain in the same position for years to come.
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Halef Gunawan
Halef is Social Media and Marketing Specialist at Koryo Tours
Born and raised in Indonesia, he moved to the U.S. for college and later pursued full-time travel in 2019. Stranded in Sabah, Malaysia, during COVID, he and his partner—along with their German Shepherd, Kana—embraced van life and have been exploring North America since 2020.