Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku met the President of South Korea Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol for the first time and discussed key issues in Seoul on 28 May.

The two leaders discussed issues of critical importance for both countries, including climate change, maritime securities, cyber strategic technologies, development and global cooperation. 

Tonga's Prime Minister's Office stated they met at the Korean Presidential Office on the day before the first Korea-Pacific Islands Summit held on 29 May. 

President Yoon thanked Hon. Hu’akavameiliku for Tonga’s prompt action toward the volcanic eruption in January last year that left 24 South Korean residents [in Tonga] unscathed. 

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku acknowledged Korea for all the assistance to Tonga following the devastating impact of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami. 

“It is a timely opportunity for a closer bilateral relationship as Tonga is Korea’s oldest development partner in the Pacific since they established diplomatic ties in 1970.”