REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEOUL -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was awarded the status of honorary resident of Seoul by the city's Mayor Park Won-soon here on Tuesday.
"The reason for it is clear as he is close to the people," Mayor Park noted in his speech at the ceremony at Seoul's History Museum where the ceremony to present the award was held.
Following his arrival at the venue, President Jokowi was welcomed by Mayor Park at the lobby of the museum at around 1:40 p.m. local time.
Several Indonesian officials, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, and Presidential Special Staff for Communication Johan Budi, also attended the event.
Park, a Seoul resident, admitted to knowing President Jokowi being addressed as "Bang (brother) Jokowi."
He said the city government of Seoul had bestowed the award on Bang Jokowi due to his closeness and sound communication with the people of Indonesia.
Park said Seoul had established several cooperation agreements with cities in Indonesia.
While quoting an Indonesian proverb, which meant being together in good and bad times, the mayor expressed his intent to develop cooperation between Solo, the hometown of President Jokowi, and Seoul, bearing that spirit in mind.
"This demonstrates the close cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea, and so, once again, I wish to thank you for it," President Jokowi stated while lauding the residents of Seoul.
Jokowi said he had held a discussion with Mayor Park regarding the management of the city, including the efforts to overcome traffic jams and flooding.
"When I was the governor of Jakarta, I actually was keen to learn about ways to solve traffic jams and flood problems from Seoul, which is the sister city of Jakarta," he revealed.
After the ceremony, President Jokowi was scheduled to meet Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province Kim Kwan-yong.
At 3:40 p.m. local time, President Jokowi will visit the Ajou University to receive an award from the Asia Journalist Association.
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