Korean investors promise to hire more Indonesian workers

JOKOWI - JAKARTA. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has engaged in talks with businesspeople in Seoul in his bid to improve South Korean investment in Indonesia.

Jokowi met with representatives of four South Korean conglomerates – CJ Group chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, Lotte Group vice chairman Hwang Kag-gyu, Hyundai Motor Company vice chairman Chung Eui-sun and South Korean steelmaker POSCO chief executive Choi Jeong-woo – in separate meetings in Seoul on Monday, the Palace said in a press release.

“In the meetings, they [the businesspeople] expressed appreciation for Indonesia, which has improved the investment climate for foreign investors,” said Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, who accompanied Jokowi in the meetings.

The business leaders also reiterated their commitment to help Indonesia improve its domestic industries and catch up with foreign players.

"Their commitment is to hire more Indonesian manpower and to improve the transfer of technology,” Retno said.

Jokowi is in Seoul for his second visit to Korea in the past two years.

Jokowi is to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in later on Monday in Seoul, during which the two leaders are scheduled to discuss and ink several agreements to boost bilateral ties.