► Through its engagement with the Pacific Islands, Seoul can strengthen the US-ROK alliance by supporting Washington’s regional objectives in a way that is not clearly anti-China.

► As a country with high levels of technological, managerial, and educational expertise, the ROK is well placed to support the efforts of the USA, Australia, and New Zealand to help the Pacific Island states develop prosperous economies and political systems that feature democracy, transparency, non-corruption, and effective delivery of services.

► Providing meaningful assistance to the Pacific Islands is an efficient and politically low-cost way for the ROK to support the US-backed liberal regional order and to demonstrate Seoul’s willingness and ability to play a larger global role.