According to a 2017 BBC World Service Poll, 46% of Indonesians view North Korea's influence negatively, with only 17% expressing a positive view.[3][needs update]
However, diplomatic relations were cut off until 1972 following the overthrown of the Sukarno regime. Under the leadership of Suharto, Indonesia discretely moved closer to the United States and South Korea, even as Jakarta remained the headquarters of the Non-Aligned Movement.[5] Despite the newfound tilt, Indonesia never formally severed ties with North Korea.
Indonesia's historic ties to North Korea were reaffirmed under president Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of Sukarno, who visited Pyongyang in 2002 to build relations with-then North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, in the spirit of the friendship their fathers enjoyed.[6]
Indonesia continues to maintain its relations with North Korea despite North Korea's poor human rights record and WMD program that potentially threatens South Korea and Japan, two nations that share a far closer politic relation, economic interest, and strategic partnership with Indonesia.[8][dubious – discuss][needs update][unbalanced opinion?] Indonesia still continues to engage North Korea as it believes in dialogue, and maintains that there is no point in isolating or containing the DPRK.[9]
North Korea sent 2 (two) diplomats to attend the 11th International Training Course for Mid-Career Diplomats organised by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Training Centre in Jakarta on 20 October to 3 November 2013.
Indonesia invited the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to attend the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta in August, following a similar invitation to South Korean President Moon Jae-in.[13] At the ceremony, athletes from South Korea and North Korea paraded under one flag, that of "Korea". Athletes from both countries wore uniforms in white and light blue; the colors found in the Korean Unification Flag.[14]
In 2012, through the World Food Programme, the Indonesian government provided assistance worth $2 million in the form of 1,465 tonnes of palm oil. Palm oil is a versatile additive for food; in Indonesia it is most often used as cooking oil or margarine.
In the period of January – October 2014 the volume of trade between the two countries recorded only 2.8 million US dollars; down 82.24 percent over the same period in 2013. Subsequently, the Indonesian economy team planned a visit to the DPRK, and its counterpart planned a counter-trip, which is expected to increase the volume of trade and improve bilateral relations between Indonesia – DPRK.[16]
In 2015, North Korea's imports to Indonesia amounted to US$1.41 million, the most exported commodity being vegetableresidue consisting 42 percent of the value priced at US$597 thousand. In return, North Korea also imported soap from Indonesia worth US$600 thousand.[17]
According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, the total trade volume between the two countries amounted to US$3.26 million in 2019, a significant increase from the previous year's total value of $964,000.[15] Indonesia and North Korea total trade reaches US$342.9 thousand, while trade relations since 2014 to 2019 has made Indonesia imbalance of trade significantly in non-oil and gas export import.[18]