Korea-Japan Police Chiefs Shake Hands for the First Time in 14 Years... Joining Forces Against Transnational Crime

Strengthening Response to North Korean Cyberterrorism
Sharing Awareness for Cooperation in Utilizing Future Technology for Public Security

The chiefs of police from South Korea and Japan met for the first time in 14 years and signed a "Memorandum of Understanding on Police Cooperation."

On the 21st, Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency, met with Tsuyuki Yasuhiro, Commissioner General of the Japanese National Police Agency, at the Japanese Police Headquarters to discuss joint responses by both agencies to increasing security threats and the spread of cybercrime.

This visit by Commissioner Yoon was promoted to evaluate the cooperation achievements between the two agencies and to prepare cooperation measures on security issues. It was the first official Korea-Japan police chiefs meeting held in 14 years since 2010.

During the meeting, key topics discussed included reestablishing the cooperative relationship between the two agencies regarding security investigations by the Korean police and preparing specific cooperation plans at the National Police Agency level to support the Korea-U.S.-Japan cyber working group.

At the meeting, Commissioner Yoon expressed gratitude for the Japanese National Police Agency’s active cooperation in major case collaboration and the extradition of fugitives abroad, emphasizing, “As neighboring countries that cannot be separated and possess top-level policing capabilities, the cooperation between our two countries’ police forces will be a source of strength in responding to the threats we jointly face.”

Commissioner Yasuhiro responded, “I welcome the strengthening of relations between our two police forces,” and added, “I hope that the police of both countries can closely coordinate and respond to the challenges we share.”

After the meeting, the chiefs of police from both countries signed the "Memorandum of Understanding on Police Cooperation," which formalized the main agenda items of the meeting and pledged active implementation. The memorandum, coordinated since December of last year, was finalized through close discussions between the two police agencies to reflect changes in the security environment.

The memorandum includes shared recognition and strengthened cooperation between the two police agencies on agendas such as △ ensuring economic security (responding to industrial technology leakage) △ securing safety in cyberspace △ the war against transnational crime △ utilization of advanced technologies in policing such as artificial intelligence (AI) △ mutual protection of overseas nationals.

The National Police Agency stated, “Commissioner Yoon’s visit to Japan is expected to contribute to regional security stability as South Korea establishes itself as an international policing hub, and especially to significantly strengthen cooperation with the Japanese National Police Agency in responding to joint threats such as cyberterrorism originating from North Korea.”