UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | SEOUL, August 13, 2026 — Foreign Minister Cho Hyun of the Republic of Korea held a bilateral foreign ministers' meeting with Fijian Foreign Minister Sakiashi Ditoka in Seoul on August 13, marking the first such official encounter between the two countries' top diplomats in approximately ten years.

The meeting, held to commemorate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Fiji, covered bilateral cooperation, energy supply chain resilience, development assistance, and regional affairs. The last Korea-Fiji foreign ministers' meeting took place in September 2015, during the official visit of then-Foreign Minister Yun Byong-se to Fiji.

Fiji as a Hub for Pacific Diplomacy

Minister Cho extended a warm welcome to his Fijian counterpart, describing Fiji as "an important hub in Korea's diplomacy toward Pacific Island nations" and expressing appreciation for the cooperative relationship the two countries have built over more than five decades. He conveyed his hope that the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations would serve as an opportunity to expand the scope and substance of bilateral cooperation.

Energy Supply Chain Resilience

Energy security emerged as one of the central themes of the meeting. Minister Ditoka highlighted the Asia-Pacific region's heavy dependence on the transport of critical energy resources through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the region's vulnerability to supply chain disruptions stemming from conflicts in the Middle East. He expressed his hope to deepen cooperation with Korea in the energy sector, pointing to South Korea's advanced refining capabilities and strategic petroleum reserve infrastructure as assets of significant value to regional partners.

Both ministers agreed that establishing stable and resilient energy supply chains among regional countries has become more important than ever, given the growing uncertainties in the international environment. They committed to maintaining close communication and exploring concrete cooperation measures for energy security and supply chain stabilisation.

Development Cooperation and Climate Change

Discussion also turned to development cooperation. Minister Cho outlined the Korean government's approach of tailoring its development assistance to sectors of priority need for partner countries, citing health and energy as the focal areas of cooperation with Fiji. He expressed his hope that Korean assistance would make tangible contributions to improving Fiji's healthcare environment and strengthening its renewable energy capabilities.

Minister Ditoka expressed gratitude for Korean support and called on Korea to sustain its engagement on the climate challenges confronting Pacific Island nations — including rising sea levels and the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters. The request reflects the acute vulnerability of small island states to climate change, an issue that has become central to Pacific regional diplomacy.

Consular Cooperation and Regional Affairs

The two ministers also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula situation and broader Pacific regional developments. They agreed to pursue active cooperation on consular matters, including the safety and protection of the rights and interests of Korean nationals residing in or travelling to Fiji.

A New Starting Point

The meeting aligns with the Korean government's stated national agenda of realising a "G7+ diplomatic powerhouse" through expanded international engagement and contribution. With the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations serving as a new baseline, both sides indicated their intention to broaden cooperation across energy, health, renewable energy, climate change response, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both ministers agreed to further invigorate high-level exchanges and communication going forward, with a shared commitment to building a future-oriented cooperative relationship grounded in mutual trust.