The Australian Border Force (ABF) met with partner agencies in South Korea last week for strategic talks with local partner agencies.
ABF commissioner Michael Outram met with representatives of the Korea Customs Service (KCS) and Korea Coast Guard (KCG) to discuss preventing the importation of illicit vapes and drugs, information sharing and border security modernisation.
The ABF and the KCS are accredited World Customs Organization Regional Dog Training Centres and cooperate closely on their respective Detector Dog Programs. This includes undertaking reciprocal visits to exchange methodologies and identify opportunities for further collaboration on canine breeding, development and training, and future dog procurement.
Commissioner Outram said that by working together, regional partners can achieve greater outcomes, combatting transnational crime and ensuring the prosperity of nations in the region.
“Since January 2023, targeted engagement with Korea Customs has seen a significant increase in operational referrals, resulting in the detection of illicit commodities at the border and the arrest of individuals involved in these activities,” the Commissioner said.
“Cooperation with Korea Customs Service enhances not only our respective domestic Detector Dog Programs, but allows us both to provide additional training and capability uplift to other key partners in the region. This strengthening of regional customs effect at the border plays a key role in disrupting the trade of illicit goods such as narcotics, securing the supply chain, and reducing the space for organised crime networks to operate.
“Australian Border Force is committed to increasing our cooperation and engagement with our counterparts in Korea, forging links and learning from each other in order to protect our borders and our region.”
Australia and South Korea have grown closer over the past few years, responding to a changing strategic environment in the Asia-Pacific, and the growing opportunities for co-investment. South Korea has even indicated a desire to join AUKUS in the future.
Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles met with their South Korean counterparts Cho Tae-yul and Shin Won-sik to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. This would see deepened cooperation on matters of national importance for both countries, like cybersecurity, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and the development of a reciprocal defence cooperation framework.
“We are two countries who understand the value of peace and the cost of war. We are working together to help shape a region that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous. Together we help maintain a regional balance of power where no country dominates and no country is dominated,” said Wong
“The Republic of Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy enhances development and diplomatic engagement in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Australia will continue to work closely with the Republic of Korea as it implements the strategy.”
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