
By Baleun Song and Lee Jihae
President Moon Jae-in on May 22 congratulated Indonesian President Joko Widodo on his re-election.
In a phone conversation, President Moon said the positive results of the Indonesian leader's policies during his first term led to Widodo's re-election, saying the Indonesian people must have felt the effects.
President Moon also predicted that life for the Indonesian people will become more plentiful and joyful due to Widodo's "tolerant leadership" that meets the needs of the lower class.
In response, Widodo expressed hope that Seoul and Jakarta will continue their special strategic parnership agreed on in November 2017.
President Moon said Indonesia is "very special" to him, as it was the first member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that he visited after his inauguration and where he first announced his New Southern Policy.
The Korean leader also mentioned that the two countries elevated bilateral ties to the level of a special strategic partnership during his November 2017 visit to Indonesia, relations that were further strengthened by Widodo's reciprocal trip to Korea in September last year.
On May 21, the General Elections Committee (KPU) of Indonesia announced that Widodo had won a second term as president with 55.5 percent of the vote, defeating his opponent Prabowo Subianto.
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