By Jung Min-ho

Foreign ministers of Pacific island countries visited Seoul's water supply facilities on Tuesday to learn about the city's award-winning quality control system for its tap water.

According to the Office of Waterworks Seoul Metropolitan Government, foreign ministers from Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and their secretaries inspected the facilities from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

"A total of 17 guests saw how the water is purified through the system. After our presentation, they drank the water," an official said.

The visit came after the foreign ministers' met to discuss climate change and energy development.

Seoul's tap water, also known as Arisu, has won several awards in recent years, including the 2009 U.N. Public Service Award, which recognized the transparency and credibility of Seoul's water management.

In recent years, Seoul has also distributed bottled Arisu to quake-hit and typhoon-hit areas such as Sichuan, Gaoxiong and Haiti.

Seoul waterworks office head Nam Won-joon said he would continue to promote the quality of Seoul's tap water to the world.

"More cooperation with other countries will also help Korean companies expand their business into overseas markets," he said.