1. The Foreign Ministry, together with the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), will host an “Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on International Law and State Behavior in Cyberspace” in Seoul on December 9 and 10.

2. In the preparatory meeting for the Global Conference on Cyberspace 2015 to take place in The Hague, the Netherlands, in April 2015, 40-odd experts in international cyberspace law from 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region will discuss international norms applicable to cyberspace and desirable state behavior in cyberspace. The outcome of the meeting will be reported at the Hague Conference in 2015.

3. While benefits of cyberspace for humanity are on an increase, cyber attacks, hacking and other forms of cyber threats through the misuse of the openness and anonymity of cyberspace are emerging as a new security issue of the international community. Amid this trend, the seminar has been arranged as part of international efforts to set international norms regarding cyberspace.

4. The government of the Republic of Korea, in an effort to play an active role as a responsible middle power country in setting the international norms, hosted the Global Conference on Cyberspace 2013 in Seoul, thereby contributing to the establishment of the foundation for international discussions on cyber security matters. The ROK government is also participating in the UN Group of Government Experts on cyberspace norms.

5. The forthcoming seminar is expected to help raise awareness of the Asia-Pacific countries on the cyber security issue; induce their participation in relevant discussions; and thereby expedite the establishment of international norms on cyberspace. 


                   Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation