Press Releases
Signing of the Japan-ROK Memorandum on cooperation of protecting Japanese and Korean nationals in third countries
September 6, 2024
On September 6, the signing procedure of the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea on Cooperation of Protecting Japanese and Korean Nationals in Third Countries” by Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and H.E. CHO Tae-yul, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) was completed.
- Japan and the ROK have built up their cooperation, including the repatriation of their nationals from the African continent and other places during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the evacuation of their nationals from Sudan in April 2023 and from Israel in October and November 2023. In these cases, Japan-ROK cooperation has contributed to facilitating the protection of their respective nationals in a smooth manner in local contexts, including the remoteness from both countries, and the limitation of available means of assistance. Based on this, both sides decided to formulate the Memorandum as a framework for further facilitating smooth cooperation in emergency situations as in the past, building upon these cases of cooperation.
- Under this Memorandum, both sides will share information on crisis management procedures, exercises and training in times of peace, exchange information on crisis management, including evacuation planning in third countries in times of emergency, mutually assist and cooperate if it is decided to evacuate its/their nationals from a third country, and hold high-level discussions and exchanges of views. It is expected that the Memorandum will establish a foundation for further facilitating smooth cooperation in emergency situations as in the past, and will contribute to ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals in times of emergency.