Korea-China Security Chiefs Meeting... "Strengthening Cross-Border Crime Cooperation"

The First Security Chiefs Summit in 10 Years Since 2014

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency, held a security chiefs' meeting with Wang Xiaohong, Minister of Public Security of China, at the headquarters of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security on the 16th to discuss joint responses and cooperation activation plans for transnational crimes such as drugs and telephone financial fraud.

This meeting was promoted to evaluate the cooperation achievements between the two agencies so far and to prepare cooperation measures for security issues. It is the first Korea-China security chiefs' meeting in 10 years since 2014.

On that day, Commissioner Yoon and Minister Wang promised joint responses to transnational crimes such as drugs and telephone financial fraud, and discussed ways to resume human exchanges such as the mutual recognition agreement on driver's licenses and invitation training, which had been suspended due to the impact of COVID-19.

At the meeting, Commissioner Yoon expressed gratitude for the active cooperation of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security in major cases such as the arrest and repatriation of suspects involved in drug-laced beverages in Gangnam, and emphasized, "I hope that this visit to China will serve as an opportunity for the two agencies to improve the security environment of both countries as strategic security cooperation partners and lead peace and prosperity in the region."

Minister Wang recalled the time when he was the Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau in 2016 and met Commissioner Yoon, who was then the Head of Information Division 1 at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, during Yoon's visit to Beijing, and responded, "If the two agencies cooperate closely, we will be able to wisely respond not only to transnational crimes such as drugs and telephone financial fraud but also to future crises."

Furthermore, the two countries signed the revised "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Police Cooperation" and promised active implementation.

This MOU includes agendas and specific implementation plans such as △ response to transnational crimes △ resumption of human exchanges △ promotion of mutual recognition (exemption from testing) of driver's licenses △ cooperation in repatriation of overseas fugitives.

After the meeting, Commissioner Yoon plans to move to Hangzhou to present a plaque of appreciation to the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau for their cooperation in arresting and repatriating members of telephone financial fraud organizations, and to hold a meeting to encourage Korean police attach?s working in China.

The Korean National Police Agency stated, "With this visit of the Commissioner to China, we expect it to be an opportunity to contribute to regional security stability as an international security hub country and to greatly strengthen cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to respond to shared threats such as drugs and telephone financial fraud."