SEOUL – In a move to enhance the safety of Koreans overseas, the South Korean Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, officials confirmed.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the MOU was signed by Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong and Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, marking a significant step in collaborative efforts to protect Korean nationals abroad amidst increasing geopolitical tensions. During the signing ceremony, Minister Cho highlighted the critical need for coordinated actions between the ministries to safeguard citizens against global crises. The agreement includes practical cooperation measures such as the establishment of a hotline for rapid communication between the two ministries. Defense Minister Shin emphasized the military's commitment to protecting Korean citizens globally, stating that cooperation is essential for the success of their missions.
Officials noted that the strengthened partnership between the foreign and defense ministries is expected to significantly improve the government's response capabilities during international emergencies involving Korean citizens.