The highlight of Bogor’s festivities was a visit to the Bogor Botanical Gardens. As previously said, the visit became quite significant as a result of the Kimilsungia flower. Later, when Koreans, including high-ranking officials and regular citizens, visit Indonesia, they invariably stop at Bogor.
On April 14, 1965, Kim Il Sung again hosted a return dinner for President Sukarno. The Korean arts team emerged at the end of the meal to amuse the guests. The two presidents underlined the closeness of the Korean and Indonesian peoples in their statements, as well as their desire to work together to strengthen both nations and against imperialism.
General Kim Il Sung’s visit to Indonesia was made the more remarkable by the fact that it coincided with his 53rd birthday. President Sukarno paid a visit to the State Guest Building on April 15, 1965, to express his greetings. These are the kinds of things that, while less prevalent than procedure, demonstrate how close they are. Sukarno told Kim Il Sung that the government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Degree Awarding Commission of the University of Indonesia had decided to award him a Doctorate Honoris Causa in Engineering.
The event was place in the afternoon at the State Palace. As is customary, crowds lined the route to the palace, cheering state guests and singing “Long live Prime Minister Kim Il Sung.” Beautiful females dressed in traditional tribal attire queued up in front of the State Palace.
Prof. Dr. Soemantri Brodjonegoro, Chancellor of the University of Indonesia, emphasized in his remarks that this Doctorate Honoris Causa award was only conferred to persons who had performed remarkable accomplishments to mankind and science. “We have the exceptional distinction today of bestowing this title on His Excellency Prime Minister Kim Il Sung,” Soemantri remarked.
Another significant aspect of Prime Minister Kim Il Sung’s visit was his meeting with other country leaders who had come to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference. Among them were PRC Premier Chou En Lai, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, Laos’ Prince Shouphanovong, and Cambodia’s Prince Shihanouk. Kim Il Sung’s initial meeting with Shihanouk marked the beginning of their strong personal friendship.
On April 20, 1965, Prime Minister Kim Il Sung departed Indonesia. Hundreds of thousands of Koreans cheered Kim Il Sung when he came, as well as when he left. Kemayoran Airport had a ceremony to release state visitors. Surprisingly, additional official visitors, including Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai and Prince Shihanouk, took part in the release.
Sukarno, it appears, was unwilling to let go of his closest buddy. To the point that he remarked in his address, “If I’m not frightened of being seen arrogant, I want to sell the wheels of the jet so that my buddy, the Honorable Kim Il Sung, is still here.”
Kim Il Sung felt the same way. He hugged Bung Karno warmly after shaking hands. He then shook hands with leaders from several nations and waved to the crowds who had gathered in Kemayoran. The plane took off from the runway around 09.30 a.m. A great leader and friend has returned to his homeland, but the effect he created will live on in the hearts of the Indonesian people for the rest of their lives. (M. Raihan Ronodipuro)
About the Author
M. Raihan Ronodipuro was awarded the Chinese MOFCOM Scholarship and earned a Master of Law in International Relations from the School of International and Public Affairs at Jilin University in China. He serves as an Associate Researcher in the Department of Politics and Security at the Center for Indonesia-China Studies (CICS). Raihan is currently working as a special aide to the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) faction at the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI), assigned to committee 1 (defense, foreign, and Information Affairs).