Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met Indonesian K-pop idol Carmen during a state visit to South Korea, highlighting cultural ties as the two countries agreed to deepen strategic cooperation.
In a statement on Thursday, Indonesia’s Government Communication Agency said Prabowo greeted and posed with Carmen, a member of K-pop group Hearts2Hearts, alongside South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
The three were photographed making the popular finger-heart gesture, widely used by K-pop stars to express affection toward fans.
Lee shared the moment on social media, showing Carmen standing between the two leaders during Wednesday’s event.
Born Nyoman Ayu Carmenita, Carmen is the first Indonesian to debut under SM Entertainment, one of South Korea’s largest talent agencies.
She joined Prabowo and Lee at a state luncheon held at the Blue House, where the leaders also held a one-on-one meeting followed by a bilateral summit with their delegations.
During the talks, both sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Lee described Indonesia as the only country with which South Korea currently maintains such a high-level partnership.
The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of 10 memorandums of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation.
The agreements cover sectors including the economy, critical minerals, clean energy, intellectual property protection and digital development.
Officials said the deals are expected to strengthen long-term collaboration and support economic growth in both countries.
The meeting underscored efforts by Jakarta and Seoul to deepen ties beyond traditional trade and investment links.
Cultural engagement, including the presence of a K-pop figure of Indonesian origin, reflected growing people-to-people connections.
In addition, Lee awarded Prabowo South Korea’s highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa.
The decoration recognizes Prabowo’s role in advancing bilateral relations between the two countries.
The visit marks a further step in expanding Indonesia–South Korea cooperation across strategic sectors.
