South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto upgraded ties to a special comprehensive strategic partnership and entered into new agreements to deepen cooperation across critical minerals, clean energy, technology and defense, Yonhap News Agency reported on April 1. The leaders also reaffirmed that their countries would complete the next phase of their joint KF-21 fighter jet program by June and explore expanded naval shipbuilding collaboration.

The partnership builds on a decade-long defense relationship centered on the KF-21 program, with Seoul increasingly positioning Indonesia as a key partner in expanding its defense exports and regional industrial footprint. Subianto's visit, meanwhile, follows a trip to Japan, where he signed agreements spanning similar areas with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.