President Lee Meets Pacific Islands Delegation, Highlights Potential for Expanded Minerals and Energy Cooperation

On December 10, President Lee Jaemyung met with the chief delegates of the Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and pledged to strengthen the "Pacific Family" partnership, focusing on climate crisis response and development cooperation. He also stated that Korea would play a role as a partner supporting self-reliant growth as a responsible global leader.

Yonhap News Agency

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That morning at the presidential office in Yongsan, President Lee met with the leaders, ministers, and vice ministers of 15 Pacific Islands Forum member countries, including Nauru, Niue, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Fiji, New Caledonia, and French Polynesia.

During the meeting, President Lee reflected on the history of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Pacific island nations. He said, "Korea established its first diplomatic ties with Tonga among the Pacific island countries in 1970, and over more than half a century, we have developed friendly and cooperative relations. With the establishment of diplomatic relations with Niue in 2023, Korea has now become a 'Pacific Family' with all Pacific island countries."

President Lee also highlighted the strategic importance of the Pacific island nations. He noted, "The Pacific region is where over 90% of the tuna consumed by the Korean people is caught, and it is a key fishing ground for Korea's distant-water fisheries. There is also significant potential to expand cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors." After mentioning each country by name, he added, "Although these nations appear as dots scattered on the map, they are all familiar names that I would very much like to visit."

President Lee also mentioned Korea's ongoing development cooperation. He stated, "Since joining the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as a dialogue partner in 1995, Korea has maintained steady high-level diplomacy and communication for the past 30 years. Through official development assistance (ODA) projects totaling 240 million dollars, we have promoted mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as health and education, contributing to the sustainable economic and social development of the Pacific island countries."

Looking ahead, President Lee pledged support for climate crisis response and assistance to vulnerable countries. He said, "As a responsible global leader, Korea aims to take the lead in addressing the global challenges facing humanity. We will proactively respond to the shared threat of the climate crisis and, based on Korea's growth experience, support vulnerable countries in achieving self-reliant growth, thereby building a better future together."

President Lee also highly praised the outcomes of the 6th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held the previous day. He said, "I understand that at yesterday’s (10th) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, there were extensive discussions to strengthen practical cooperation in various fields, including development cooperation, climate change, and marine and fisheries. I am pleased that these discussions have served as an opportunity to broaden and deepen cooperation between both sides." He added, "I hope that such high-level consultations will continue to promote active communication and exchange between the two sides, and that the relationship between Korea and the Pacific island countries will continue to grow deeper and broader."

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