The strategic partnership between Indonesia and the Republic of Korea, which has grown significantly since 2009, served as the key foundation for the establishment of INAKOS. This partnership has been further strengthened by the increasing presence of Korean companies in Indonesia and the expanding cultural and economic exchanges between the two countries, positioning Indonesia as an important partner for South Korea. These developments created an urgent need for in-depth studies and research on Korea within Indonesia. In response to this need, two leading academic institutions—Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Universitas Indonesia (UI)—began establishing their respective Korean Studies Centers.

In light of these developments, the idea of unifying and integrating all expertise in Korean Studies across Indonesia emerged. This initiative was pioneered by a group of Indonesian alumni who had completed their studies in various disciplines at universities in South Korea. The idea was formally realized with the founding of INAKOS (The International Association of Korean Studies in Indonesia) on Thursday, May 7, 2009. This historic moment was marked by the first INAKOS Forum, held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, where Prof. Dr. Mochtar Mas’oed was unanimously elected as the first President of INAKOS.

Since its establishment, INAKOS has played a vital role as a platform for Indonesian scholars to implement and expand their Korean Studies research. Its main goal is to foster research networks and enhance members’ academic knowledge. Strategically, INAKOS aims to ensure that the scholarly works produced by its members become a valuable legacy for future generations in Indonesia. Thus, since its inception, INAKOS has played an integral role in nurturing and sustaining the strategic relationship between Indonesia and Korea—academically, culturally, and in the development of human resources.