Indonesian Culture Should Catch Up to Korean Wave: Jokowi

Jakarta Globe, Eko Prasetyo, May 17, 2016

President Joko Widodo tries out 3D goggles during his visit to Digital Media
City in Seoul, Tuesday (17/05). (State Palace Press Photo/Intan)

Jakarta. After a visit to Seoul's Digital Media City, or DMC — a high-tech media and entertainment complex — on Tuesday (17/05), President Joko Widodo said Indonesia should form more partnerships in creative economy with South Korea.

Joko said he is eager to see Indonesia develop its creative economy potentials.

“The more I see, the more I realize we have great potentials in this sector,” said Joko to the press after the visit.

The president said Indonesia should make the first step to start up new partnerships, and worry about their influence on gross domestic product later.

“We have not given priority to the creative industry for too long,” Joko added.

As an example, Joko said Indonesia should do more to promote its culture and tradition by digging deeper into its own history, adding that there is no reason why Indonesian culture cannot be as well known globally as K-pop.

The visit to DMC was one of the main agenda on the president's South Korean tour. The complex hosts a total of 350 entertainment, IT and digital content companies.

One of the companies, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, has already formed partnerships with Indonesian electronic media outlets.