Luncheon Remarks
by H.E. Yun Byung-se
Minister of Foreign Affairs

The 2nd Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

November 24, 2014

President Waqa (왕가),
Prime Minister Puna,
Vice President Onorio,
Excellencies and distinguished delegates,

“The seas bring us together; they do not separate us,” declares the Micronesian Constitution. Korea and the Pacific Island Countries, or PICs(피아이시즈), share the same vast Pacific Ocean. And this morning, to further our common prosperity we pooled our collective wisdom.

The meeting in the morning marked a significant step forward, for Korea as well as for the PICs, in building a Pacific Partnership. Your wise and insightful comments today will be important references – helping our friendship grow stronger, and our cooperation become deeper.

Distinguished delegates,

Personally, the discussions in the morning felt like a panorama showing our past, present and future.

In the past, our peoples suffered together during the Second World War. Koreans were coerced into labor in Micronesia, Palau and Papua New Guinea – where they met with Pacific Islanders under oppression. A mutual sympathy was born, and the seeds of cooperation were sown.

And now, our peoples are getting closer than ever before. The Pacific is a popular destination for Koreans – this is mirrored by Incheon’s status as the favorite transit point for high-level Pacific Islanders. Koreans work in companies contributing to the Pacific Islands’ infrastructure, energy and minerals. Korean fishermen are working and helping conserve marine resources.

Popular culture is also bringing us closer together – already back in the 1970s, when I was in college, the Fijian folk song “Isa Lei” was adapted into Korean as “우리들의 이야기” meaning “Our Tale” – and became a huge hit. I still remember and sing its beautiful tune. These days, Koreans enjoy watching the beautiful scenery of the PICs on television, and Korean dramas are being broadcast in several PICs.

All this shows we have a bright future. Indeed, there is something in common between us. Korea has long been known as the “Land of the Morning Calm,” a people proud of greeting the bright morning early. But now, we know that some Pacific countries welcome the morning three hours before us.

And our diversity also gives us creative ways of cooperation. Like the Pacific Islanders, Korea too believes “our differences enrich us.” But the key lies in good and frequent exchanges and communication.

This is why three years ago, Korea and the PICs launched this Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Today’s second meeting is significant – not only because this is the first held under the new government in Korea. But because later on, you will speak with young Korean university students. I am very pleased our dialogue is now between governments, between generations – and between the present and the future. I hope to continue our multilayered dialogue, and encourage our people-to-people exchanges – the solid and long-lasting foundations of our collaboration.

Before closing, thank you once again for taking part in today’s meeting. I wish you a fruitful stay in Korea, and look forward to seeing you again in 2017, at the third Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Thank you. /끝/