1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, who is participating in the high-level segment of the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council, and President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer signed an “agreement between the government of the Republic of Korea and the International Committee of the Red Cross” at the ICRC headquarters on February 26 (local time).

2. The agreement between the ROK government and the ICRC to formally establish the ICRC office in the ROK, which opened in 2015, contains regulations on practical aspects of the ICRC office’s activities, including the ICRC’s legal personality, the ICRC’s activities related to communications and correspondence in the ROK, and the treatment of staff.

※ The ICRC, established as a private organization under Swiss law in 1863, carries out humanitarian activities in armed conflicts, including protecting and helping victims of armed conflicts, and visiting detained civilians.

3. Right after the signing ceremony of the agreement, Minister Kang had a meeting with ICRC President Peter Maurer, and spoke highly of various efforts that the ICRC has continued to facilitate the reunion of families separated by the Korean War. Minister Kang also said that recently, the ROK government has significantly increased the amount of its humanitarian aid through the ICRC.

o President Maurer said that the ICRC will continue efforts to facilitate the reunion of families separated by the Korean War, and expressed appreciation to the ROK government for expanding humanitarian contributions through the ICRC.

※ ROK government’s humanitarian assistance through the ICRC:

US$0.3 million(2013) → US$1.75 million(2014) → US$2.2 million(2015) → US$2.35 million(2016) → US$4.5 million(2017)

4. The agreement signed today will be submitted to the National Assembly for ratification. The agreement is expected to play an important role in facilitating the ICRC’s activities in the ROK and strengthening cooperation between the ROK and the ICRC, when brought into force after being ratified by the National Assembly.

* unofficial translation