In May 2023, the Republic of Korea will hold a High-Level Political Meeting (HLPM) of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) to mark the 20th anniversary of its launch. Senior officials from over 100 endorsing States will be invited to review 20 years of PSI activities and achievements, and explore the way forward for the Initiative.

The Republic of Korea endorsed the PSI’s Statement of Interdiction Principles in 2009. It joined the PSI Operational Experts Group, which steers PSI activities, and held its first PSI Operational Exercise, EASTERN ENDEAVOR, in 2010. It was also a founding participant in the PSI Asia-Pacific Exercise Rotation (APER) in 2013.

Alongside the HLPM, the Republic of Korea will also host the next annual PSI APER multinational operational exercise, EASTERN ENDEAVOR 23, to enhance the maritime interdiction capabilities of the participating countries. The Republic of Korea will also host the annual meeting of the PSI Operational Experts Group to further coordinate upcoming PSI activities with leading PSI partner states. 

The DPRK’s recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests, in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, punctuate the importance and urgency of strengthening the global nonproliferation regime and preventing the spread of WMD and their means of delivery.  By hosting the PSI 20th Anniversary HLPM – the first ever held in the Asia-Pacific region – the Republic of Korea, as a global pivotal state, underscores its unwavering commitment to nonproliferation and its leadership in working with PSI partners to prevent or interdict WMD-related transfers and strengthen associated legal authorities and capacities.