1. The second ROK-EU Cyber Policy Consultations will take place at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul on April 29, with Ambassador for International Security Affairs Choi Sung-joo of the ROK Foreign Ministry and Director for Security Policy and Conflict Prevention Joëlle Jenny of the European External Action Service leading their respective delegations.

o The Cyber Policy Consultations are an exemplary case of the “future-oriented partnership (aimed at strengthening cooperation and collaboration not only on bilateral and regional issues, but also on global issues)” the ROK and the EU are pursuing. The mechanism was created as agreed by the heads of the two sides in November 2013, and the first Consultations were held in Brussels in May last year.

o The ROK delegation to the meeting will include officials from relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the Korean National Policy Agency, and the Korea Internet & Security Agency. The EU delegation will consist of officials from the European External Action Service and the Delegation of the European Union to the ROK.

2. Both sides will discuss the open and secure cyberspace while EU especially emphasizing human rights and the rule of law as they apply in cyberspace. EU and ROK will also discuss the importance of norms of responsible state behavior and applying the existing international law in cyberspace. Both sides will support further efforts to promote confidence building in cyber security at global and regional fora.

3. At the upcoming Consultations, the two sides will engage in in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Sony Pictures Entertainment hacking incidents and the recent cyber security environment; cyber policies and strategies of the ROK and the EU; the outcome of the Global Conference on Cyberspace 2015 held in The Hague; capacity-building programs and other areas where the two sides can enhance cyber-related cooperation.

o As cyber security is emerging as a key global issue following the latest Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Sony Pictures Entertainment hacking incidents, the ROK will strengthen bilateral cooperation with the EU and other major countries. The ROK will also continue to take an active part in international discussions to create an open and safe cyberspace.

4. The ROK is expanding the foundation for global cooperation in cyber issues through bilateral and trilateral cyber policy consultations with not only the EU but also the US, Russia, Australia, India, China, and Japan. The ROK, as the chair of the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace, has also actively participated in multilateral discussions on cyber issues, including by sending a government delegation, led by the Foreign Minister, to the Global Conference on Cyberspace 2015 held in The Hague on April 16-17 this year.


*unofficial translation