Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Col. Gen. Kang Phyo Yong (L), talks with Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Vice Minister of of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, during a meeting in Jakarta on 14 September 2012 (Photo: Defence Media Center of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense)
DPRK state media reported on 18 September (Tuesday) that Col. Gen. Kang Pyo Yong (Kang Phyo Yong), Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces) returned to Pyongyang after leading a Korean People’s Army [KPA] delegation on a week-long visit to Indonesia. During his visit to Indonesia, Col. Gen. Kang toured several sites. On 14 September (Friday) Col. Gen. Kang met with Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesian Vice Minister of Defense. At the outset of the meeting, Lt. Gen. Sjamsoeddin apologized that Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yugiantoro could not attend because Yugiantoro was in North Maluku Province attending events related to the yacht rally Sail Morotai.
Col. Gen. Kang Phyo Yong (L) shakes hands with Indonesian Vice Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (R) in Jakarta on September 14, 2012 (Photo: Defence Media Center of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense)
Lt. Gen. Sjamsoeddin briefed Col. Gen. Kang about the organization and doctrine of Indonesian National Armed Forces, as well as its relations with foreign militaries and participation in international forums such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN]. Kang Pyo Yong told Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin that he hoped the KPA’s visit to Indonesia could enhance DPRK-Indonesian relations, particularly in defense matters. Col. Gen. Kang said that he hoped that his visit would lead to additional visits by the two countries’ militaries and increase cooperation and exchange on military affairs and education. Col. Gen. Kang also noted longstanding relations between the DPRK and Indonesia (to the days of Sukarno) and conveyed the DPRK people’s thanks to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for sending a condolence note after Kim Jong Il’s death in December 2011.
(Photo: Defence Media Center of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense)
