Yoon: "Korea and Pacific Island Nations Should Navigate Together for Shared Prosperity"

Korea-Pacific Island Nations Summit
Yoon: "Pacific Island Nations, Key Partners in Indo-Pacific Strategy"
PIF Chair: "Partnership Continues"

President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized a partnership of coexistence on the 29th, stating, "I hope that Korea and the Pacific Island countries, neighbors sharing the vast Pacific Ocean on the same boat, will vigorously navigate toward common prosperity."

In his opening remarks at the Korea-Pacific Island Countries Summit held at the Blue House State Guest House that afternoon, President Yoon said, "Today's meeting will be an important milestone signaling a new beginning for cooperation between both sides." This summit is the first multilateral meeting hosted in Korea since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

President Yoon highlighted the significance by saying, "This is an occasion to announce that the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is a key partner in the Republic of Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy."

He continued, "Domestically, the Republic of Korea operates its governance based on the rule of law while respecting individual freedom and human rights. Internationally, it respects the sovereignty and independence of all countries and an international order based on norms," adding, "Korea promises to establish sustainable cooperative relationships based on mutual respect and trust with all countries, including the Pacific Island countries, and to make responsible contributions to the international community."

Regarding the 'Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Strategy' announced by the Korean government last year and the '2050 Blue Pacific Continent Strategy' announced by the PIF in July last year, President Yoon said, "The directions align," and emphasized, "I want to join forces with the leaders here to pursue a partnership of coexistence between the PIF and the Republic of Korea."

On the specific cooperation directions between Korea and the Pacific Island countries, he stated, "Climate change, natural disasters, food security, health, and marine fisheries crises, which are directly linked to the survival and prosperity of the Pacific Island countries, can only be overcome through solidarity and cooperation," and stressed, "We will firmly support the role of the PIF and the partnership of all member countries under the One Blue Pacific principle and deepen cooperation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and Chair of the PIF, responded, "The challenges in our region are broad and complex. To overcome such challenges, partner countries like the Republic of Korea are necessary."

Prime Minister Brown also expressed, "I am pleased that we can now exchange and discuss areas of mutual interest, such as climate change, disaster response, ocean governance, marine and fisheries, people-to-people exchanges, and sustainable economic development," and hoped, "As the Blue Pacific continent, we want to continue a lasting partnership and uphold the One Pacific principle for dialogue and participation."

He added, "Through this meeting, we have elevated Korea-Pacific Island countries relations to a summit-level relationship," and expressed expectations that "by further enhancing cooperation, we can open a more peaceful and prosperous Pacific era."

Furthermore, he emphasized, "We want to sustain this partnership so that ultimately we can enjoy the sustainability, resilience, peace, and prosperity that we need."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.