1. The Republic of Korea-Colombia agreement on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses was signed by Ambassador to Colombia Kim Doo-sik and Minister of Transport of Colombia German Cardona Gutierrez at the ROK Embassy in Colombia on August 1 (local time).

o This agreement will enter into force on the 30th day after the two countries are notified by each other of their completion of necessary domestic procedures. Pursuant to the agreement, nationals of the two countries granted permission to stay in the other country will be allowed to drive in the other country without further driving tests.

o The agreement is expected to improve convenience for employees of 27 Korean companies operating in Colombia and for Korean nationals staying in the country by solving problems related to language, time, and cost that could arise in the process to acquire a driver’s license.

※ About 941 Korean nationals are residing in Colombia (2017).

2. So far, the ROK has agreed to mutually recognize driver’s licenses with 131 countries. The Foreign Ministry will continue to work to sign such agreements with more countries in order to resolve difficulties facing overseas Koreans and to improve their convenience.

※ Number of countries with which the ROK has agreed to mutually recognize driver’s licenses (as of July 2018): 131

- mutual recognition under agreements/arrangements on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses (brought into effect): 23 countries

- mutual recognition in accordance with directives by police authorities (reciprocity): 108 countries

※ 23 countries with which the ROK has concluded agreements/arrangements on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses: Belgium, Canada, Poland, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Chile, Slovakia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Peru, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Hungary, Israel, Guatemala, Uzbekistan, Honduras, Iran, Nicaragua, and the US (22 states)

* unofficial translation