1. The 6^th Republic of Korea (ROK)-Pacific Islands Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), which will be held by the Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended by representatives from 14 Pacific island countries, will take place in Busan on Tuesday, October 15.

2. The SOM, along with the ROK-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, is a consultative mechanism convened on a regular basis for consultations on a range of issues between the ROK and Pacific island countries. At the 6^th SOM, the participants will discuss enhancing people-to-people and economic connectivity; climate change; maritime and fisheries cooperation; and the recent progress on the Korean Peninsula as well as global issues surrounding the Pacific region.

○ Considering lack of progress in people-to-people and trade exchanges between the ROK and the Pacific island countries compared to other regions despite the South Pacific region being known for a treasure trove of maritime, fishery and mineral resources, the participants will mainly discuss ways to promote people-to-people as well as economic connectivity.

○ The upcoming meeting aims to review the progress and achievements made in the implementation of various projects led by the ROK government to address key pending issues faced by the Pacific island countries such as sea level rise caused by climate change, and seek ways to work together on the international stage.

○ Furthermore, the participants will discuss effective ways to use the ROK-PIF Cooperation Fund set up in 2008 to reinforce substantive cooperation between the ROK and Pacific island countries.

3. During their visit to the ROK on October 14-17, the senior officials from the Pacific island countries will visit industrial facilities such as the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering and join a culture tour in Busan such as the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.

4. Amid key countries’ growing interest in the Pacific region, the forthcoming SOM is expected to establish the ROK’s active and independent role in the Pacific and serve as an opportunity to create a milestone for bolstering cooperation between the ROK and Pacific island countries.