Japan and South Korea Governments Cooperate on Protecting Nationals in Third Countries

The governments of Japan and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in protecting their nationals in third countries. The signing was completed by rotation by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.

To date, the two countries have cooperated on the repatriation of their nationals from continents such as Africa during the coronavirus outbreak, and the evacuation of their nationals from Sudan in April of the fifth year of Reiwa, and Israel in October and November of the same year.

The memorandum was prepared in consideration of the smooth promotion of protection of nationals by the cooperation of Japan and South Korea, under circumstances where remote support from both countries had limited means available and based on past experiences. It includes sharing information on crisis management processes and training during peacetime, exchanging information on emergency evacuation plans in third countries, mutual support and cooperation in the event of a decision to evacuate nationals from a third country, and conducting high-level discussions and exchanges of opinions.