Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto praised the strong work ethic and resilience of the South Korean people during the inauguration of Lotte Chemical Indonesia's petrochemical plant in Cilegon, Banten, on Thursday.
Prabowo said South Korea's transformation from a war-torn nation into a modern industrial powerhouse was the result of discipline, perseverance, and collective determination.
"They are a hardworking people – a nation that managed to build a modern civilization from the ruins of war," Prabowo said in his remarks.
The president recounted his personal admiration for South Koreans' character, describing them as hardworking, tough, and disciplined despite limited natural resources. His respect, he said, began during his years in the Indonesian Army's Special Forces Command (Kopassus), when he worked alongside Korean instructors.
He recalled that his Korean trainers demonstrated relentless discipline, continuing drills even immediately after Christmas or Eid holidays – a reflection, he said, of a national spirit grounded in consistency and hard work.
Prabowo also cited former South Korean president Park Chung-hee as an example of strong and visionary leadership that drove the country's industrialization and clean governance. He said Park's determination and integrity had long served as an inspiration to him.
"This is my experience with the Korean people – they are a resilient nation. Negotiating with them is never easy," he said jokingly.
Prabowo concluded his address by expressing appreciation to Lotte Group's leadership and the South Korean government for their confidence in Indonesia, following the company's $3.9 billion investment in the new Cilegon petrochemical complex, one of Southeast Asia's largest.