By hosting the inaugural ROK-Pacific Islands Summit on May 29, 2023, South Korea bolstered its presence in cooperation efforts within the Pacific region, stepping into a space where major players are already deeply engaged. Although Korea has held foreign minister-level dialogues with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) since 2011, the 2023 summit marked a pivotal step in Korea’s commitment to more profound engagement with the region.
This proactive outreach forms a strategic component of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s