South Korea and Canada have conducted their inaugural Cyber Policy Consultation, pledging to bolster cooperation in addressing cyber threats, with a particular focus on North Korea’s virtual asset theft.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Tuesday that the first Korea-Canada Cyber Policy Consultation was held at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Seoul. The South Korean delegation was headed by Ambassador Yoon Jong-kwon, the International Cyber Cooperation Ambassador, while Canada was represented by Jillian Frost, Director of Cyber, Critical Technology, and Democratic Resilience at the Canadian Foreign Ministry.
This consultation marks the establishment of the first intergovernmental channel aimed at enhancing cyber cooperation, building upon the existing security and defense partnership between South Korea and Canada. The South Korean contingent included officials from various agencies, including the National Security Office’s Cyber Security division, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defense, the National Intelligence Service’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the National Police Agency, and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA). Canada’s delegation comprised representatives from its Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, Public Safety Department, Communications Security Establishment (CSE), and the Privy Council Office (PCO).
Both nations acknowledged the critical need for close collaboration to effectively counter cyber crimes, such as North Korea’s virtual asset theft and online scams, as well as emerging cyber threats leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). They committed to exploring specific cooperative measures.
Notably, they agreed to share response protocols and key case studies to prepare for the recent uptick in cyber intrusion incidents. They also pledged to strengthen cooperation in preventing recurrences by rapidly exchanging information through various channels when incidents occur.
Furthermore, they decided to expand collaboration between law enforcement agencies to combat cyber-based crimes, including online scams, through joint investigations and information sharing. South Korea highlighted its efforts related to the intergovernmental Transnational Crime Special Response Task Force (TF), established to address online scams in Southeast Asia, including the implementation of targeted sanctions against individuals and groups.
Additionally, both parties agreed to broaden multilateral cooperation in tackling cyber crimes, capitalizing on South Korea’s initiative to join the Budapest Convention. They also committed to ongoing collaboration to advance discussions on international norms in the cyber domain at major multilateral forums, including the United Nations.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the consultation as a significant milestone for sharing cybersecurity policies and fostering practical cooperation between the two nations, building on their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Looking ahead, both countries plan to conduct regular Cyber Policy Consultations to further reinforce their cooperation in the cyber realm.
