South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol began the country’s first summit with leaders of Pacific islands nations on Monday.
Over the weekend, Yoon also participated in bilateral talks with some of the visiting leaders, including Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and Papua New Guinean PM James Marape.
Yoon’s office said in a statement on Sunday that the Asian leader discussed “expanding reciprocal cooperation in development, marine and fisheries as well as building health infrastructure and responding to climate change.”
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles will also participate in the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit on Monday, his office said on Saturday. It added that Marles’ presence aims to “show cooperation between the 18 members of the Pacific Island Forum and South Korea for a secure region.”
#PacificForumLeaders share insights,intel, and breakfast today in Seoul, rounding off a milestone month of high-level meetings with global powers India, US, and South Korea. #Pacific2050 pic.twitter.com/sgkLUQIrJd
— Pacific Islands Forum (@ForumSEC) May 29, 2023
Meanwhile, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said she was looking forward to discussing “climate change, economic recovery from COVID-19, development cooperation, oceans and fisheries, and sea-level rise.”
“Aotearoa New Zealand is joining with other Pacific Island Forum Leaders attending the Summit so that our voice can be heard, as we speak as one - as Pacific whānau - on our shared Pacific priorities,” she said before leaving for Seoul on Sunday.
Micronesia was unable to attend the meetings in Seoul due to a typhoon.
Indo-Pacific Strategy
The forum’s meeting in Seoul comes after Yoon launched his administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy last year, wherein his government pledged to foster a “free, peaceful and prosperous” region built on a rules-based order.
The strategy was released amid security concerns surrounding China’s aggression in the strategic water body.