Yoon Holds Summit with Pacific Island Nations... "Let's Materialize Cooperative Projects"

Focused Discussions on Development, Climate Change, Marine Fisheries, and Health
Yoon "Will Build Trust-Based Relationships with Island Nations"

President Yoon Suk-yeol held talks on the 28th with heads of state attending the 'Korea-Pacific Island Countries Summit' and stated, "Let us concretize cooperative projects tailored to the characteristics of island countries." The Korean government and each island country agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of interest such as development, climate change, marine fisheries, and health infrastructure construction.

On the afternoon of the same day, at the Yongsan Presidential Office building, President Yoon held separate summit talks with President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni of Tonga, Prime Minister Kausea Natano of Tuvalu, Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau of Vanuatu, and Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea, conveying the message that "the Republic of Korea, as a country pursuing the values of freedom and the rule of law, seeks to build just and trust-based relations with the Pacific island countries."

Ahead of the 2023 Korea-Pacific Island Countries Summit, President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit meeting with James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, on the 28th at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Attending the '2023 Korea-Pacific Island Countries Summit,' which elevated the dialogue channel between Korea and the Pacific island countries to the head-of-state level, the visiting leaders comprehensively reviewed the status of cooperation with the Pacific island countries, which have had ties with Korea for over half a century.

According to the Presidential Office, the leaders expressed great encouragement regarding the Korean government's expansion of Official Development Assistance (ODA) contributions and its increasing interest and support for the Pacific island countries. During the summit with Kiribati, President Yoon emphasized that Kiribati is Korea's largest distant-water fishery ground among the Pacific island countries based on catch volume, highlighting the great potential for cooperation in the fisheries sector and requested support for the safe operation of Korean fishing vessels. President Maamau of Kiribati responded that he wishes to receive Korea's economic development know-how, including knowledge sharing and capacity building.

Discussions with Prime Minister Sovaleni of Tonga covered digital projects, drinking water initiatives, and capacity building for public officials in the marine sector. President Yoon evaluated Tonga, which established diplomatic relations with Korea in 1970 as the first Pacific island country to do so, as the first link connecting Korea and the Pacific island countries, having built a solid cooperative relationship over time. He also noted that during the large-scale underwater volcanic eruption in January last year, Prime Minister Sovaleni's swift and effective response ensured that 24 Korean residents suffered no harm and that Tonga was able to promptly manage the situation.

Prime Minister Natano of Tuvalu expressed hopes for cooperation with the Korean government in improving telecommunications equipment, responding to climate change, and the marine fisheries sector. President Yoon praised Prime Minister Natano's efforts to raise international awareness and alertness about the existential threats faced by Pacific island countries due to climate change at various international meetings and promised that Korea will take the lead in reducing carbon emissions and responding to climate change.

In the summit with Vanuatu, President Yoon highly appreciated Prime Minister Kalsakau's international leadership in spearheading the UN General Assembly resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the ICJ (International Court of Justice) on states' obligations related to climate change response. Prime Minister Kalsakau expressed gratitude for the various support provided by the Korean government, including humanitarian aid for cyclone damage in March and power supply projects.

Additionally, to Prime Minister Marape of Papua New Guinea, President Yoon said, "With a population of 10 million, PNG is a gateway country in the Pacific region, and active human exchanges and economic trade are taking place between our two countries." He also urged Papua New Guinea, as a regional leader, to work together with Korea for the shared prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. President Yoon expressed appreciation for PNG's support for the Busan Expo bid. Prime Minister Marape stated that last year's trade volume between the two countries ($1.8 billion) increased 2.4 times compared to the previous year and strongly hopes that PNG, rich in natural resources such as oil, gold, and gas, will attract investment and entry from Korea's world-class manufacturing companies.

Meanwhile, the main summit meeting held on the 29th and 30th will be under the theme "Voyage Toward Shared Prosperity: Strengthening Blue Pacific Cooperation." This is the first time a summit between Korea and the Pacific island countries has been held. President Yoon invited the heads of state of the 18 member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), including French overseas territories, and the PIF Secretary-General, all accompanied by their spouses. In line with this, the PIF leaders will visit Busan on the 30th to tour the North Port area, which will be the venue for the Busan Expo.