South Korea: South Korean President Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol and leaders of the Pacific Islands have agreed to expand cooperation, including in the areas of economic development, security, and the response to climate change, following a two-day summit in Seoul.

The joint declaration from the first-ever Korea-Pacific Islands Summit recognised shared values of “freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human rights” and a “rules-based regional and international order.”

According to the declaration, “peace and stability in the Pacific region are interlinked with global peace and stability”, and the leaders acknowledged “the need to strengthen development cooperation and security collaboration, including maritime security, climate security, energy security, cyber security, human security, public health, and transnational security”.

Some 12 leaders and officials from 17 of the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) took part in the Seoul summit.

Mr. Yoon noted that the inaugural summit was an occasion for him to declare the Pacific islands a “key partner” in South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

The strategy, which pledges to foster a “free, peaceful, and prosperous” region, was unveiled last year amid concerns over China’s security ambitions and economic leverage among the small island states.

“The crisis of climate change, natural disasters, food, health, oceans, and fisheries, which is directly linked to the survival and prosperity of Pacific island nations, can only be overcome through solidarity and cooperation,” Mr. Yoon commented.

“I will firmly support the principle of a single Blue Pacific, which places importance on the role of the Pacific Islands Forum and the partnership of all member states while deepening cooperation with Pacific island states,” the President added.

In their joint declaration, South Korea and the Pacific Islands shared the view that the ocean should be kept free of radioactive waste and the need for international consultation and scientific assessment.

The meeting in Seoul was the third summit in a week between Pacific island leaders and a large economy, following meetings with India and the United States.

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