The South Korean government has moved to establish formal diplomatic relations with Niue, the last remaining Pacific island nation with which South Korea did not have diplomatic ties.
Foreign Minister Park Jin and Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi signed a joint statement on Monday to formalize their countries’ diplomatic ties on the sidelines of the Korea–Pacific leaders’ summit in Seoul.
According to the Foreign Ministry, South Korea aims to leverage its diplomatic ties with Niue as a means to expand its diplomatic footprint in the Pacific region while enhancing bilateral cooperation with Niue.
This made Niue, a self-governing island in free association with New Zealand, the 192nd country to form diplomatic ties with South Korea. Niue is part of New Zealand’s realm, meaning they share the same monarch….