1. The government of the Republic of Korea held an interagency meeting on December 18 to seek ways to brace for terrorist attacks abroad. In the meeting, the participants reviewed the recent terrorist attacks abroad and relevant situations, as well as the ROK government’s steps for ensuring the safety of the overseas Koreans; and discussed measures that were needed for the future.

° The meeting was chaired by Director-General for Overseas Korean Nationals Protection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lee Jae-wan and brought together officials of such relevant government agencies as the Counterterrorism Center at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the National Intelligence Service, and the National Police Agency. It took place to brace for possible terrorist attacks abroad during the holiday season when many Koreans travel abroad.

2. The Foreign Ministry’s Director-General for Overseas Korean Nationals Protection Lee Jae-wan brought attention to the importance of the work to protect the overseas Koreans that is directly related to their lives and safety. He went on to stress the fact that an annual 270 million Koreans travel overseas ; that the threat of terrorism against civilians persist across the world; and that at this time of the year, -- the holiday season -- in particular, the ROK government needed to take more active and preemptive measures to ensure the safety of the overseas Koreans.

° The Director-General shared with the other officials the Foreign Ministry’s plan to further strengthen its current safety measures in a bid to prevent Koreans from being affected by terrorist attacks abroad: Among those measures are sending out safety text messages immediately after a terrorist attack occurs abroad or relevant intelligence is obtained; distributing guidebooks and carrying out various promotional activities through media on safe overseas travel; and holding safety meetings with travel agencies, missionary groups and enterprises operating in risky regions.

3. With regard to terrorist attacks abroad, given that large-scale terrorist attacks were not on the rise in 2018 compared to those in 2015-2017; and that while terrorist attacks using vehicles declined, there were those using weapons and guns as well as terrorism attempts by extremist forces attributable to anti-refugee sentiment mainly in Europe, the participants drew a common understanding that the ROK government should brace thoroughly for such attacks.

4. Director-General Lee stressed that despite the fortunate fact that terrorist attacks appeared not to be on the rise in 2018, terrorism risks could escalate particularly in crowded areas during the holiday season. The government agencies that attended the meeting agreed to swiftly share with one another the situation and information regarding the safety of the ROK nationals and maintain close cooperation among them. 

* unofficial translation