Program for Pacific considered

THE Korean Government is considering a program to take people from the Pacific Islands to the Asian nation and provide opportunities for training institutions, says Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of the Republic of Korea Yeo Seung-bae.

During the Korea-Pacific Island Countries seminar yesterday, he said the Pacific consisted of a high percentage of youths who, if better trained and educated, would be the way forward for social and economic development.

“This is to give them education and training in various areas, including climate change response,” he said.

“Young people in the Pacific are very much enthusiastic about the learning of new things and also making their village, society a better place to live for themselves and for their future.

“One of the areas Korea can do much better than other countries is to help Pacific island countries develop their human resources and capacity building.”

He also said Korea supported the development of maritime and fisheries infrastructure in the Pacific through the implementation of multi-sensory remote sensing tools controlling IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing activities.

“Through the Korea South Pacific Research centre in Micronesia, the Korean Government has been sharing accumulated technology with other Pacific island countries.

“The future of cooperation will be brighter and the Korean Government will continue to be a reliable partner to realise the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific continent.”

Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transportation Faiyaz Koya said Fiji at a bilateral level had benefited from the support of the Republic of Korea in a number of sectors, including law enforcement.