January 28, 2026 – The Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) of the International Relations Department at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), with the generous support of the Korea Foundation, successfully organized an international workshop titled “Building A Regional Maritime Paradiplomacy Network Between Indonesia and South Korea.” Held at the Rayz Hotel Malang, this event is part of a strategic research series by the CEAS team aimed at mapping and exploring the potential for maritime cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea through paradiplomacy. The project is conducted by a multidisciplinary research team led by Tonny Dian Effendi, Ph.D. as Head of Researcher. The team includes Havidz Ageng Prakoso, Shannaz Mutiara Deniar, and Hamdan Nafiatur Rosyida from the Center for East Asia Studies (CEAS), alongside Dr. Baek Dojoo from Pukyong National University and Saiful Hakam from the Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN).
The workshop was conducted in a hybrid format, fostering a global exchange of ideas. While key presenters delivered their findings in person in Malang, other speakers joined virtually from strategic cities including Jakarta, Samarinda, Kendari, Sorong, Semarang, as well as Seoul and Taipei. The event was attended by faculty members of IR UMM, invited experts, and students from the Center of Excellence (CoE) in Paradiplomacy program.
In his opening remarks, the Head of the IR Department at UMM, Hafid Adim Pradana, M.A., emphasized the growing significance of sub-state actors in today’s global political landscape. “Paradiplomacy has become a crucial issue in contemporary international relations. Local governments now play a vital role in bolstering bilateral state relations. In this context, Indonesia and South Korea hold immense untapped potential, particularly in the maritime sector,” he stated.
Echoing this sentiment, the Lead Researcher, Tonny Dian Effendi, explained that the study of maritime paradiplomacy is a groundbreaking academic endeavor. “The concept of maritime paradiplomacy is relatively new and remains under-researched. However, Indonesia and South Korea share several fundamental commonalities: from their geographical characteristics and positions as middle powers to the significant role of the sea in their trade. These similarities are the primary capital for developing a robust maritime paradiplomacy network,” Tonny explained.
The workshop delved into specific issues ranging from port paradiplomacy, maritime identity, and maritime tourism to fisheries migrants. A presenter from Ewha Womans University highlighted the importance of developing this concept by citing the successful Sister City cooperation between Surabaya and Busan as a prime example. The in-depth discussions also captured various real-world case studies across Indonesia—covering the Western, Central, and Eastern regions—including Surabaya, Semarang, Mataram, East Kalimantan, Southeast Sulawesi, and Southwest Papua. These cases represent the widespread development and potential of maritime paradiplomacy throughout the Indonesian archipelago.
As a concrete output of this initiative, the CEAS IR UMM research team is committed to compiling these insights and findings into a book titled “Maritime Paradiplomacy between Indonesia and South Korea,” which is scheduled for publication in late February 2026.
Looking ahead, the researchers expressed hope that this initiative will not end as a single project but evolve into a sustained research consortium. Such a consortium is expected to strengthen International Relations scholarship in the field of paradiplomacy while contributing to policy development and the enhancement of Indonesia’s maritime cooperation at the global level. (hnr)