This year, 2021, marks the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between Fiji and Korea.
The two countries officially established diplomatic ties on January 30, 1971 soon after Fiji gained independence in October 1970.
Over the past half century, Korea and Fiji cultivated precious friendship and expanded co-operation in various areas, which thus far has borne plenty of fruits.
Being awarded a warm welcome, I arrived in Fiji in December last year as new ambassador of Korea.
Fiji is well-known to Korea as the hub of economy, tourism and transportation among the Pacific Islands countries.
Fiji has also been a popular honeymoon destination for Korean people because of its pristine natural environment and quality tourism infrastructure.
I consider it a great honour to serve in this beautiful and peaceful country, especially when we get to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our bilateral relations.
On January 19 2021, I had the enormous honour of presenting my credentials to His Excellency the President of Fiji, Jioji Konrote.
On that occasion, I assured the President that I would spare no effort in advancing and deepening ties of Fiji and Korea during my tenure.
In particular, I will endeavor to further the co-operation between our two countries in the areas of mutual concern, including climate change, healthcare, and education.
Looking back on the past 50 years, there have been remarkable developments in the process of forging our partnership through high level visits, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, economic and development cooperation.
Trade volume between the two countries has increased more than 13 times between 1999 and 2019.
The KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) has been running its regional office in Suva since 2016 and implemented various development projects for Fiji and other Pacific Island countries.
To this date, the Korean government has offered $US30 million ($F61.28m) worth of development assistance to Fiji.
As the old saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. The precious friendship between Korea and Fiji has demonstrated its true value during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Korean Government shared its experience of disease control and provided about $US350,000 ($F714,684) worth of medical supplies including PCR test kits to Fiji last year.
While countries around the world are struggling to combat COVID-19, I highly appreciate that the Fijian Government has been well containing the virus and protecting its people safe and secured.
During the two-week isolation for quarantine in Nadi, I was deeply impressed by well-organised, highly efficient system of Fiji’s tackling COVID-19 pandemic.
I think it was strong commitment of the leadership, active co-operation of ordinary people and effective response system that have enabled Fiji to stand out as a COVID-19 free country.
In regards to the Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa, Korea also joined other international efforts with contributing $US100,000 ($F204,254) of humanitarian assistance.
I sincerely hope this donation will contribute to accelerating recovery efforts of the Fijian Government and supporting Fijian people facing additional hardships caused by STC Yasa amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Climate change is a significant threat that both Korea and Fiji are facing.
As widely known, Fiji and other Pacific Islands countries are among the most vulnerable ones to adverse impacts of climate change.
Korea is also experiencing similar impacts such as floods, abnormal temperatures, droughts, and typhoons.
The Korean Government highly appreciate the leading role that Fiji has played in raising international awareness on climate change issues, which was exemplarily shown by assuming chair of the COP 23 in 2017.
The Korean Government is also stepping up its efforts to address climate change, announcing its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Besides, Korea will host the Second P4G (Partnership for Green Growth and Global Goal 2030) Summit in May, this year, with the ambition of making it as the world’s leading forum for developing concrete public-private partnerships at scale to deliver on the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
In the field of climate change, Korea and Fiji have closely collaborated with multiple projects which support Fiji’s ambitious goal of 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2036 and meeting its international commitment to the Paris Agreement through cutting Fiji’s emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
KOICA is supporting $US6m ($F12.25m) for a solar energy installation for Taveuni Island. It is also working with the GCF (Green Climate Fund) for ‘Fiji Argo-Photovoltaic Project’ in Ovalau Island with $US8m ($F16.34m) assistance.
In addition, Korea gave a hydrographic survey vessel, Volasiga, in 2019 as part of the reinforcing Fiji’s capacity for responding to climate change crisis.
In the same year of 2019, the Korean Government supported the riverbank stabilisation project of the Fiji’s Ministry of Waterways and Environment with $US200,000 ($F408,458) assistance.
Although Korea and Fiji are geographically far away, heart-to-heart distance is getting closer.
K-pop, Korean dramas and movies are getting more popular in Fiji and we can easily see many Fijians practicing Taekwondo in sports facilities of Suva. Fiji is also familiar to Koreans, as many Koreans visit Fiji and various TV programs covers history, culture as well as beautiful scenery of Fiji.
Last year, Fijian singer Sunia Soko Loga participated in a famous TV audition program in Korea and gained a huge popularity, which raised interest in Fiji among the Korean people.
The Korean Embassy in Fiji is planning various special events for this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries.
I hope that we will be able to overcome the COVID-19 soon so that we can arrange high level visits and hold face-to-face cultural events to deepen understanding of each other.
It is my strong belief that the close and cordial relations between Fiji and Korea will be further promoted on the auspicious occasion of this 50th anniversary.
I look forward to working together with Fiji to build a new chapter of friendship and co-operation for another 50 years and beyond.