As climate change-caused natural disasters and global pandemics such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and Avian Influenza (AI) have been frequently occurring beyond national borders, a close cooperation with neighboring countries has become all the more important. Against this backdrop, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation pledged to forge a strong collaboration on disaster management.

On September 5, Minister Kim Boo Kyum of the Interior and Safety of Korea met with Minister Vladimir Puchkov of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters of Russia at the Government Complex Seoul and shared various opinions on safety management policies. Given the increasing severity and frequency of disasters taking place worldwide, the two ministers shared a recognition that it is imperative to reinforce mutual cooperation between Korea and Russia.

Based on such consensus, the two ministries agreed to sign a Joint Communique for continuous cooperation in the field of disaster management. The Joint Communique has elaborated the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Public Safety and Security of Korea and the Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters of Russia signed last year. Under the Joint Communique, the two parties will hold the Korea-Russia Joint Committee Meeting for Cooperation on Disaster Management annually from 2018 to share policies, technologies and information regarding disaster management and relief. In addition, they will draw up a Joint Action Plan of Emergency Services, which will result in tangible outcomes in the field of disaster management.

The MOIS has strived to build a cooperation network with neighboring countries for an effective response to major disasters. It has signed MOUs on Cooperation for Disaster Management with China (Nov. 2015), the United States (Mar. 2016), Russia (May 2016) and Japan (Dec. 2016) to lay a ground for mutual cooperation.

Minister Kim Boo Kyum commented that, “The frequent occurrence of major disasters such as earthquake and tsunami all over the world has stoked public concerns over their safety.” “We will put more efforts to enhance our capacity for addressing unexpected disasters through a close collaboration with Russia on disaster monitoring and response technologies,” he added.