Seoul, Dec 23 : South Korea has became the 10th country outside of Europe to join the European Union (EU) law enforcement cooperation agency that fights terrorism and other international crimes, police said.
The National Police Agency (NPA) joined Europol by signing a working-level agreement that was approved unanimously by the 27 EU nations on October 6.The accession is an outcome of efforts by police to strengthen cooperation with Europe since 2017, Yonhap news agency quoted officials as saying.
Under the agreement, police can now exchange information on crime and cooperate with member states of Europol — 17 European and nine non-European countries — as well as international organisations and research institutes collaborating with the agency.
The NPA said the agreement is expected to enhance police response capabilities against global crimes through sharing expertise and training programs, and working together with Europol officers.NPA chief Kim Chang-yong had planned to visit Europol headquarters in the Hague to attend a signing ceremony but exchanged the agreement with Europol’s Commissioner-General Catherine De Bolle through a diplomatic pouch due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Europol, established in 1992, is EU’s law enforcement agency supporting the fight against terrorism, international drug trafficking and other serious crimes.int/shs
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Korea joins Europol as the 10th non-European nation
According to the NPA, this agreement will enhance police response capability against global crime through training and sharing of expertise as well as working with Europol officers. Kim Chang-yong, NPA chief, had intended to visit Europol Headquarters in The Hague for a signing ceremony.
However they exchanged their agreement through a diplomatic pouch owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Europol was established in 1992 and is the EU’s law enforcement agency.
It supports terrorist attacks, drug trafficking, and other serious crimes.
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