Embassy urges support for Indonesians' voting in S. Korea

Attendees pose for a group photo after a media briefing at Indonesian Embassy in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. (Indonesian Embassy in Seoul)

The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul urged support for Indonesians in Korea casting their votes in the Southeast Asian country's general election in an annual media briefing to present its agenda for the year on Wednesday.

The Indonesian Embassy’s Charge d'Affaires Zelda Wulan Kartika reviewed milestones of 2023 that marked 50 years of diplomatic ties, high-level exchanges, and economic and cultural forums and events co-hosted with many Indonesian and Korean organizations.

She introduced the embassy’s priorities for 2024, including Indonesia’s general election to be held this year.

According to Kartika, 2024 will have high-official visits and bilateral meetings of multi-stakeholders, a business forum, and business matching on creative and digital economies, education, and cultural events. The embassy will also focus on the film industry and traditional music this year, and promote mutual understanding between the people of the two countries through the Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers program.

She said that the general election in Indonesia would take place on Feb. 14, in which more than 200 million Indonesians will cast their votes in Indonesia. The elections are organized to elect the president and vice president, as well as members of legislative bodies at the provincial and city levels.

According to the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, the organizing committee of elections will host elections in 29 voting stations located in 21 cities across South Korea, and Indonesian citizens in South Korea will be able to vote early on Feb. 10 in cities such as Busan, Gwangju and Daegu.

“Most Indonesians living here will also have their holidays. They could cast their vote on the 10th of February,” hoped Kartika.

"The national election is the pinnacle of democracy in Indonesia; similar to South Korea, we are democratic countries,” she underlined.

"The embassy has also informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and the Korean National Police Agency pertaining to the Indonesian National Election to ensure a safe and secure election for the voting commission,” said Kartika.

Meanwhile, the embassy officials also highlighted that the priority of the embassy is to protect Indonesian citizens in South Korea, with 54,479 nationals residing here as of Dec. 31.

“For Indonesian workers, the embassy commits to work further beyond merely the scope of protection and proper solving,” she said, referring to the embassy’s empowerment program to enhance Indonesian migrant workers' economic opportunities and self-reliance.

“Services, including digital ones, are extended to ensure their well-being,” said Kartika, explaining the needs for overall well-being, entrepreneurial skills, financial innovation, and support for migrant workers.

The briefing was attended by journalists from local and international media in Korea, officials from the Foreign Ministry, and an ASEAN-Korea Center representative.

By Sanjay Kumar(sanjaykumar@heraldcorp.com)