15 March 2024

Mr. Tapu Vakai Panuve was appointed as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea and Ms Tania Laumanulupe ‘o Taafolika Tupou as the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Kingdom of Tonga, were officiated at a presentation of a Letter of Exequatur by the Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, Friday 15th March 2024.

The presentation of the Letters of today granted the authority to the Honorary Consuls to operate within the consular district of the Kingdom of Tonga and to exercise consular services to the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ nationals in Tonga.

Tonga and the Republic of Korea formalized establishment of diplomatic relations in July 1970. The Kingdom of the Nertherlands and Tonga formalized diplomatic relations in November, 1975.

In attendance at the ceremony were the Hon. Prime Minister, Hu’akavameiliku, Honourable Cabinet Ministers, Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Panuve and Tupou family.