DIPLOMASI BUDAYA INDONESIA MELALUI BATIK DI KOREA SELATAN

The recognition of Indonesian Batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2009 marked the world’s recognition of Indonesian culture and commitment to preserving Batik. Batik becomes an essential tool in the continuity of Indonesia’s soft diplomacy. Indonesia’s representatives abroad were assigned as ambassadors for Indonesian Batik to introduce it to the international community. South Korea’s one of Indonesia’s strategic partners with diplomatic relations built for years where culture plays a vital role in the continuity of both countries’ relations. This paper evaluated Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy through Batik in South Korea (2010-2021) within the framework of cultural diplomacy’s tools using qualitative research method with primary and secondary data obtained through interviews and literature studies. The paper argues Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy through Batik in South Korea has succeeded in increasing awareness and interest in Indonesian Batik to the point of benefiting the creative industry sector, especially Indonesian Batik, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.