South Korea Hosts First Summit with Pacific Islands Amid Geopolitical Rivalry

South Korea recently hosted its first summit with leaders from the Pacific islands, highlighting the country's growing interest in the region and the ongoing geopolitical rivalry between global powers in the Indo-Pacific.

The Growing Interest of South Korea in the Pacific Islands

The summit, held in Seoul on January 25, was attended by leaders from 11 Pacific island countries, including Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Samoa. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the gathering marked a "historic milestone" in South Korea's relations with the Pacific islands. He added that South Korea is committed to deepening ties with the region and supporting its sustainable development.

South Korea is not the only country seeking closer ties with the Pacific islands, which are rich in natural resources and strategically located in the middle of the world's largest ocean. China has been aggressively expanding its influence in the region through its Belt and Road Initiative, while the United States has been strengthening its military presence in the Pacific to counter China's rise.

However, South Korea's approach to the Pacific islands is different from China's and the United States' in that it focuses on economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges rather than military or political influence. South Korea has pledged to provide $100 million in development assistance to the region and to offer scholarships and training programs to Pacific islanders.

South Korea's Assistance to the Pacific Islands

• South Korea has pledged to provide $30 million in grant aid and $70 million in concessional loans to the Pacific islands over the next five years, according to the Joint Declaration adopted at the summit.
• South Korea will also provide technical assistance for projects in areas such as renewable energy, disaster risk reduction, and public health.
• South Korea has already established a scholarship program for Pacific island students to study at Korean universities, with the first batch of students set to arrive this year.
• South Korea plans to open embassies in Fiji and Kiribati to strengthen its diplomatic presence in the region.

Conclusion: Three Key Takeaways from the Summit

1. The first South Korea-Pacific Islands Summit signifies South Korea's growing interest in the Pacific islands and its willingness to invest in the region's development.
2. South Korea's approach to the Pacific islands is different from China's and the United States' in that it focuses on economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges rather than military or political influence.
3. The summit is an example of how middle powers can play a constructive role in the Indo-Pacific by promoting regional cooperation and addressing common challenges.