Leader of S.Pacific island Tuvalu asks for Korea`s help

“We`re going to desert our land and move to another country? Who on earth has spread such groundless rumors? Even if our land is submerged, we won`t leave our land. We have to prevent that from happening.”

Tuvalu Prime Minister Willy Telavi, 58, said this to The Dong-A Ilbo in an exclusive interview Saturday at MVL Hotel in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. Receiving Dong-A with a warm smile typical of a national from South Pacific islands such as Samoa and Fiji, he categorically denied rumors that his country will give up its land due to rising sea levels.

“The average elevation of land in Tuvalu is only 3 meters, and it is submerging below sea level (due to the rise in sea level caused by global warming), but our people are striving (to keep our land)," he said.

“Some people in our country have moved to neighboring countries such as New Zealand only for educational and economic purposes, but the notion that we`ve given up our land is a groundless rumor.”

Will and commitment alone seem insufficient in the fight against climate change, however. Tuvalu suffered its worst drought in history last year, and its land has been contaminated with salt over the past 10 years due sea water reaching inland areas.

"I know very well that Korea changed the waters around the Saemangeum area into land and is using reclaimed land for farming and industrial purposes. We need Korean science and technology to cope with environmental issues, including the prevention of flooding of seawater into land,” he said.

“I`d like Korea to support us in the installation of breakwaters in Tuvalu,” the prime minister added, and also expressed interest in Korea’s seawater desalination technology to alleviate his country`s shortages of drinking water.

Telavi joined Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-shik and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in proclaiming the Yeosu Declaration, which urges joint global efforts to ensure preservation and sustainable use of the ocean at the Yeosu Forum, which was timed with the closing of the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea Sunday.

In making the declaration, Telavi said, “I hope that the international community can forge true cooperation as soon as possible to ensure the survival of small island countries like Tuvalu.”

ymkim@donga.com