A delegation from the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) visited the Republic of Korea from May 22 to 25 to assess Korea’s implementation of the Security Council counter-terrorism related resolutions and identify good practices.  

In consultations held during CTED’s visit, relevant ministries and agencies of the Korean side* explained how the Security Council counter-terrorism related resolutions are being implemented and discussed measures for future cooperation.

* Eleven agencies - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Counter Terrorism Center, Terrorism Information Integration Center, Ministry of Justice, Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, National Police Agency, Korea Customs Service, Korea Coast Guard, Korea Financial Intelligence Unit, Counterterrorism Human Rights Protection Officer’s Assistance Team and Korean Internet and Security Agency (KISA) - participated in the meeting

Mr. Cho, Hyun-woo, Ambassador for International Security Affairs, representative of the Korean delegation, emphasized that the Korean government is enhancing its counter-terrorism systems based on human rights and the rule of law. He also stressed that Korea will continue to work closely with the international community, including the United Nations, to prevent any financing of terrorism and other illegal activities, as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is financing its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles through hacking and virtual asset heists. Assistant Secretary-General and CTED Executive Director Ms. Natalia Gherman commended the continuous progress in Korea’s counter-terrorism capacities since CTED’s last visit in March 2009 and expressed CTED’s willingness to discuss ways to expand technical assistance. 

The CTED Executive Director held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Park, Yongmin, Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs, on May 22. They exchanged views on global terrorism and security situations and ways to strengthen cooperation in global counter-terrorism. Executive Director Gherman mentioned that she expects Korea’s role in tackling threats arising from misuse of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and suggested exploring ways to share experiences and best practices in a more effective manner. Further, she requested Korea to contribute to related discussions in the UN Security Council if it is elected as a non-permanent member of the Council for 2024-25.

Meanwhile, a “Roundtable Meeting on Preventing Violent Extremism Online,” in which private tech companies (Kakao, Naver Z), relevant organizations (Korea Internet Self-Governance Organization (KISO), UNICEF Korea), academia and civil societies (OpenNet Korea) participated, was held on May 24. Participants shared their efforts and discussed ways forward in preventing violent extremism online and promoting a healthy and safe internet environment.

The consultations with CTED this week served as an opportunity to deepen the UN’s understanding of Korea’s counter-terrorism system and capacities as well as to highlight Korea’s will to actively support the International community’s efforts in countering terrorism.