Fiji and Korea Set Course for Strengthened Strategic Partnership

SEOUL – The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka, this week held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Ambassador Cho Hyun, to advance Fiji–Korea relations and identify new areas of practical cooperation.

Minister Ditoka reaffirmed Fiji’s appreciation for Korea’s longstanding development partnership and its growing engagement with the Pacific. He emphasised Fiji’s ambition to take the relationship beyond traditional development assistance towards a broader partnership focused on resilience, technology, economic development and strategic cooperation.

Energy security and resilience were identified as an important area for deeper cooperation. Fiji expressed interest in working with Korea to strengthen national and regional energy resilience, including through strategic fuel security, infrastructure, technical cooperation and knowledge-sharing, while accelerating Fiji’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy.

The Ministers also discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation in maritime and industrial development, aviation, skills and technology, including leveraging Korea’s expertise to support Fiji’s ambition to strengthen its role as a regional hub for the Pacific.

Minister Ditoka welcomed Korea’s continued support for Fiji’s development priorities through institutions such as KOICA and highlighted opportunities for expanded cooperation in areas including climate resilience, digitalisation, renewable energy, maritime development and human resource capacity building.

Fiji also invited Korea to support the Ocean of Peace initiative, which seeks to promote a peaceful, stable and resilient Pacific, including through cooperation on maritime security, disaster preparedness, humanitarian assistance and climate-related security.

The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of working together through regional and multilateral platforms to advance the interests of Pacific Island Countries and Small Island Developing States, including on climate change, sustainable development and ocean governance.

Minister Ditoka also conveyed Fiji’s intention to reopen a resident Embassy in Seoul, currently envisaged for 2027, further strengthening direct diplomatic engagement between the two countries.