Exchange of Diplomatic Notes for the Entry into Force of the Japan-ROK Social Security Agreement

January 28, 2005

An exchange of diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the Agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea on Social Security (Japan-ROK Social Security Agreement) took place on Friday, January 28, 2005 in Tokyo, between Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura and Ambassador of the ROK to Japan Ra Jong-yil. With this exchange of diplomatic notes, the Agreement will enter into force on April 1, 2005.
It has been a pending issue between Japan and ROK that employees who are temporarily dispatched to one country by corporations and others of another country are forced to join the pension system of both countries. The Japan-ROK Social Security Agreement addresses this issue by stipulating that those temporarily dispatched employees for a period of five years or less shall in principle enroll only in the pension system of the country from which the employee is dispatched.
It is expected that the entry into force of this Agreement will reduce the burden imposed on corporations and employees as well as further promote personnel and economic exchanges between Japan and the ROK.