REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's House of Representatives' Inter-parliamentary Cooperation Group (GSKB), led by Evita Nursanty, visited South Korea, Mar 20, to meet South Korean Parliament's Vice Chairman Shim Jae-chul and Friendship Group and to attend the ASEAN-Korea Forum. She noted that the visit was undertaken to highlight Indonesia's interests in several areas, particularly for strengthening people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

"As the people's representative, during this visit, we emphasize the urgency of promoting people-to-people relations. This is important as part of the implementation of a special strategic partnership that has been proclaimed by both countries," she explained in a statement received by Antara here on Wednesday.

Furthermore, Nursanty, who works at Commission I of the House, requested the South Korean Parliament to urge its government to facilitate access to Indonesian citizens keen on visiting the country.

"I highlighted to the South Korean Parliament the importance of reciprocal treatment in which Indonesia has granted free visas to South Koreans. At least, we will get easy access to visas; at the most, we will get the visa-free facility," she remarked.

Nursanty, who is also a member of the UN-Affair, a committee at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, underscored that GKSB's visit aimed to primarily encourage visa exemption for Indonesians visiting South Korea.

"We laud the new foreign policy that views the ASEAN through the New Southern Policy. I think the visa-free policy for Indonesians is a real step in the new policy," Nursanty emphasized.

She further added that South Korea should view Indonesia as a promising market.

"The visa-free facility is so far only extended for visiting Jeju Island. This is just the first step. In future, South Korea should consider offering visa-free facility to Indonesian citizens. I believe the visa waiver will have positive impacts on several sectors," Nursanty remarked.

The House's GKSB also called on the South Korean Parliament to protect Indonesian workers in South Korea.

"In general, I am very pleased that Indonesian workers in South Korea relatively face no problem. There are some cases related to safety and health of those working as ship crew members. I have urged the South Korean Parliament to pay special attention to that matter," she stated.

At the meeting, Nursanty also sought South Korea's support for Indonesia's nomination as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2019-2020 period.

Nursanty also sought support for the Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, Australia Chairs of Parliament meeting and the Second World Parliament Forum on Sustainable Development Goals, both of which will be held by the Indonesian House in 2018.

The group provides support for the unification of the two Koreas and the realization of peace in the Korean peninsula. The House of Representatives' delegation praised South Korea that has recognized Indonesia as an important country in resolving the Korean conflict.

The GKSB of Indonesia's House of Representatives is one of the 51 friendship groups established by the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Body.

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