Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye visits UN Headquarters in New York, discusses counterterrorism and legal cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 23rd (Korean time), Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, visited the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, USA, and held a meeting with Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and other officials.

During the meeting, Minister Park introduced Korea's latest border management systems such as the Advance Passenger Information System (I-PC) and the Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), and discussed ways to strengthen the partnership between the Ministry of Justice and UNOCT, as well as mutual cooperation to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities in developing countries.

He also expressed gratitude for UNOCT selecting Korea as a "model case of border security management" in its global evaluation of border management practices related to the response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Under-Secretary-General Voronkov requested Korea's support and cooperation for UNOCT's flagship project to strengthen counter-terrorism capabilities and education targeting developing countries, and paid tribute to the Korean government's efforts to rescue and resettle 391 Afghans from danger.

Following this, Minister Park met with Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs of the UN, to discuss ways to promote mutual cooperation in the field of international law.

At the meeting, they exchanged views on expanding the role of the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Asia-Pacific Regional Office located in Songdo, Incheon, and jointly promoting legislative support projects targeting countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Under-Secretary-General Soares evaluated that Korea "can play a central role in spreading UN international trade norms in the Asia-Pacific region" and promised to strengthen cooperation between the UN and the Ministry of Justice.