Date

October 28, 2024

Page

1

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Communications Department

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* For Immediate Release

Asan Institute Releases the Issue Brief
“South Korea’s Pacific Islands Strategy and
Cooperation with Like-minded Partners”

 
SEOUL, October 28, 2024 – Dr. Peter K. LEE and Ms. KIM Minjoo of the Asan Institute’s Center for Regional Studies (http://en.asaninst.org/) have published a new Asan Issue Brief, titled “South Korea’s Pacific Islands Strategy and Cooperation with Like-minded Partners.”

The Issue Brief analyzes the Yoon administration’s Pacific Islands strategy since it hosted the 1st Korea-Pacific Leaders’ Summit in 2023.

• First, it provides an overview of the ROK’s engagement with the Pacific Island countries. Second, it discusses the emerging drivers for cooperation. Third, it reviews the ROK’s Pacific Islands engagement. Fourth, it considers how the ROK can maximize its limited resources to make a tangible contribution to the security and prosperity of Pacific Island countries by cooperating with the United States and key strategic partners, including Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

• The researchers argue that while the ROK should continue to build its own unique relations throughout the Pacific Islands, “ROK contributions can also be a ‘force multiplier’ together with its key allies and partners.”

• Cooperation with the United States could focus on Micronesia, with Australia on maritime security capacity building, with New Zealand on health and skills training, and with Japan on development assistance and disaster response.

The researchers conclude that, “The ROK’s ambitious Pacific Islands strategy is still a work in progress. It will feature uniquely Korean technical assistance to the needs of the region, expanding diplomatic relationships, and modest but targeted resource contributions.” The next task will be “tailored bilateral and minilateral partnerships elevating the ROK-U.S. alliance and the ROK’s key strategic partnerships to work together as a force for good in the Blue Pacific Continent.”

The Issue Brief is available for download at: http://en.asaninst.org/?p=57071

Research Team:
Dr. Peter K. Lee, Research Fellow (peter.lee@asaninst.org)
Ms. KIM Minjoo (mjkim@asaninst.org)

About the Asan Institute for Policy Studies
The Asan Institute for Policy Studies (http://en.asaninst.org/) is an independent think tank that provides innovative policy solutions and spearheads public discourse on the core issues in Korea, East Asia and the world. Our goal is to assist policymakers to make better informed and mutually beneficial policy decisions.