Yoon digests 10 summit meetings at 2023 Korea-Pacific Islands Summit

President Yoon had 10 summit meetings during the 2023 Korea-Pacific Islands Summit. He met 5 leaders on May 28 and another 5 leaders the next day. They are: Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati, Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of Tonga, Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Ishmael Kalsakau, Prime Minister of Vanuatu, James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, Marshall Islands President David Kabua, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. During the summit, Yoon called on Pacific Island nations that have had ties with South Korea for more than half a century to expand cooperation on development, climate change, marine fisheries, and health infrastructure. The leaders expressed great encouragement to the Korea's interest and support for the Pacific Island countries as it expands its contribution to ODA.

Yoon proposed to materialize cooperation projects that suit the characteristics of the ROK-Pacific Islands based on the commonalities of the "Indo-Pacific Strategy of Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity" announced by the ROK Government at the end of last year and the Pacific Island countries' "2050 Blue Pacific Continental Strategy." The leaders said that the Korea's remarkable success story serves as a good example for formulating their country's development plans, and they hope to continue to expand the quality and quantity of cooperation in the overall field. Yoon said the Republic of Korea respects individual freedoms and human rights, conducts policies based on the rule of law, respects the independence and sovereignty of all countries, and respects the rules-based international order. Yoon said he would like to strengthen tailored assistance to the needs of Pacific Island countries, explaining the significance of elevating the level of communication. For the first time in history, Yoon held a series of bilateral meetings with the leaders of 10 Pacific Island countries for two days starting on May 28, demonstrating our engagement and commitment to the Pacific Island countries and providing an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation with each country.

Yoon hosts official dinner for the leaders of the summit

Yoon and First Lady hosted official dinner for the leaders of the summit on May 29 at Lotte Hotel, Jung District, Seoul by inviting 100 leaders and officials of the summit event. Yoon and Kim received the heads of state of the Pacific Islands in front of the banquet hall and welcomed them with greetings and commemorative photos. In his speech, Yoon said “Although Korea and the Pacific Islands are geographically distant from each other, they are close neighbors connected to each other through the ocean, the source of life. We have been building a history of exchanges for more than half a century since the 1960s, when we were involved in pelagic fishing, and today we are finally at the historic moment of raising the level of dialogue to the highest level and completing the foundation for cooperation. As neighbors who share the basic values of one ocean and freedom, we must work together to overcome the climate crisis and challenges. May today's summit be remembered as a day when we set sail vigorously toward freedom, peace, and common prosperity.” Yoon then offers a toast saying “For the common prosperity of the blue Pacific continent!” In a respond speech, Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, said “Thank you for hosting the first Korea-Pacific Island Summit. Today, our partnership has been upgraded. And our declaration reflects our common commitment to work closely together at the highest political level. I look forward to the opportunity to review the commitments we have made today.” Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chung Ui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, Jeong Ki-sun, President of HD Hyundai, Philippe Goldberg, U.S.

Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, and Philippe Lefort, French Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, also attended to give congratulations. The dinner featured a variety of menus using Korean specialties and ingredients from Pacific Island countries.