By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo

Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won attended the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Interactive Dialogue (PFD) held on the sidelines of the 33rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Summit in Tonga on Aug. 28 to emphasize the Korean government's commitment to expanding cooperation with the PIF, and to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening relations with the PIF and to responsible contribution diplomacy, which was expressed through the Korea-PIF Summit last year. 

The meeting was attended by heads of state and ministerial-level representatives of the 18 friendly nations attending the 53rd Pacific Island Forum Summit, as well as representatives of 21 partner countries to discuss their contribution plans for friendly nations. 

Chung reaffirmed that, as President Yoon Suk-yeol said at last year's summit, the Korean government will continue to support the ASEAN countries in building resilient health and education infrastructure and responding to the climate change crisis through increased ODA to the ASEAN countries and the Korea-PIF Cooperation Fund. 

He explained the progress of major projects under the outcome documents of the Summit, the 2023 Korea-Pacific Island States Summit Declaration and the Action Plan for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Pacific, and expressed his continued support for the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy, a regional development strategy led by the Pacific Island States. 

On the sidelines of the meeting, Chung also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Sovaleni of Tonga and Prime Minister Mata'afa of Samoa, emphasizing Korea's willingness to strengthen cooperation with the attaché countries and calling for their interest in identifying and implementing projects based on their needs. 

Both the Prime Minister of Tonga and the Prime Minister of Samoa responded that they value the relationship with Korea and look forward to continuing to develop the bilateral relationship by cooperating in various fields.