1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the National Police Agency will co-host the 2012 ROK-Central America Security Cooperation Seminar in Seoul on July 2 to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Central American countries to enhance security and improve the safety of Koreans in Central America.

o The heads of security authorities of five Central American countries, including Honduras's Security Minister Pompeyo Bonilla Reyes, will visit Korea on July 1-4. Besides the seminar, they will also visit relevant agencies, including the National Forensic Service, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency, and the Korean National Police University.

2. The opening ceremony of the seminar will be attended by 1st Vice Foreign Minister Ahn Ho-young and National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Ki-yong. In the 1st session, the heads of security authorities of the Central American countries will make presentations on the security situation in Central America. In the 2nd session, there will be presentations by the Foreign Ministry, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, and KOICA about ways to increase cooperation in security between the ROK and Central America.

3. According to a report released by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in October, 2011, Central America is the world’s worst region in terms of security, with the highest homicide rate per 100,000 population. The ROK, as a major cooperation partner of Central America, decided to hold the seminar for the first time this year to help improve security in the region.

4. The seminar is expected to contribute to increasing the safety of about 15,000 Koreans and 300 Korean companies in Central America by establishing close cooperative relations between security authorities of the ROK and Central America, and introducing the ROK’s advanced security system to Central America. 


                      Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation