President Lee Jae Myung on Dec. 10 hosts at his office in Seoul a meeting with the foreign ministers of Pacific island countries who visited Korea to attend a meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum. (Office of the President)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

President Lee Jae Myung on Dec. 10 hosted a meeting at his office in Seoul with diplomats from Pacific island countries, saying, "By preemptively responding to the common threat of climate change and supporting vulnerable countries to grow based on Korea's own experience of growth, we will design a better future together."

At the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) held at the Office of the President in Seoul and attended by the leaders, ministers and vice ministers of 15 PIF states and the forum's secretary general, President Lee said, "As a globally responsible power, Korea will play the leading role based on efforts to address the daunting global challenges faced by humanity."

"Korea became a dialogue partner of PIF in 1995 and for the last 30 years, we have consistently engaged in high-level diplomacy and discussions with PIF. Through ODA (official development assistance) projects totaling USD 240 million, Korea has contributed to the sustainable economic and social development of the Pacific islands by continuing cooperation of mutual prosperity in areas such as health and education."

"I ask the delegates of Pacific Island nations for their interest and support so that Korea and (they) can continuously develop cooperation in the fishing, mineral and energy sectors."

Meanwhile at the Korea–Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Seoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun on Dec. 9 announced in his opening speech a doubling of Korea's ODA for Pacific islands this year from 2023, pledging to continue the pursuit of cooperation that meets the needs of such countries.

dusrud21@korea.kr