Cabinet has approved the re-establishment of Fiji’s Embassy in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations and expanding opportunities for trade, investment, tourism and development cooperation.
Fiji and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1971, with Fiji opening its Embassy in Seoul in 2012.
However, the Embassy was closed in 2020 as part of the Government’s fiscal consolidation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, Fiji’s diplomatic engagement with South Korea has been managed through its Embassy in Japan.
The reopening of the Embassy is expected to strengthen Fiji’s diplomatic presence in the region and enhance cooperation with South Korea, which remains an important development partner.
According to the Government, the move will create opportunities to promote Fijian exports, attract Korean investment and strengthen tourism cooperation to increase visitor arrivals.
It will also improve access to development financing and technology while opening avenues for partnerships in renewable energy, maritime development and fuel security.
The Government says the Embassy will also support greater cooperation in climate resilience and sustainable development.
The decision marks a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Fiji and South Korea, more than six years after the diplomatic mission was closed.
